coupé meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

coupé

noun

/kuːˈpeɪ/

Etymology Unadapted borrowing from French coupé (an elliptical form of carosse coupé (“cut carriage”)), the past participle of couper (“to cut”).

A two-seater car, normally a sports car. (variant of coupe)

UK A car with a fixed-roof body style that is shorter than a sedan or saloon of the same model.

Historical The front part of a French stagecoach.

Historical A four-wheeled carriage with two seats inside, and a separate seat for the driver.

Historical The front compartment of a railway carriage.

The strongest grade of Spanish saffron, akin to the Iranian sargol.

Derived terms: coupé de ville, coupé utility, drophead coupé, fixed head coupé
Coordinate terms: convertible, hardtop, soft top

adj

Etymology Unadapted borrowing from French coupé (an elliptical form of carosse coupé (“cut carriage”)), the past participle of couper (“to cut”).

[...] who was knighted : His Arms were Or, three Barrs Azure on a Canton Argent, a Lyon's Head coupé Gules;1826, Sir Henry Chauncy, The Historical Antiquities of Hertforshire, page 314:
Grant of Arms and Crest from Hervy Clarenceux : Sablés, a chevron engrayled betwene three bezants, on a chief gold a rose gules between two flower de luces azure. Crest, a horsse head coupé golde pelletey betwene two winges barrey[…]1863, John Gough Nichols, The Herald and Genealogist, page 82:

1 more example

Fig. 34, Argent, a baton sinister, coupé, gules (the mark of illegitimate descent).1898, Edward Singleton Holden, A Primer of Heraldry for Americans, page 117: