Lewis & Short

Parsing inflected forms may not always work as expected. If the following does not give the correct word, try Latin Words or Perseus.

cōpŭla, ae (contr. form cōpla, in Wernsd. Poët. Lat. Min. IV. p. 535), f. [coapio], that which binds together or binds fast, a band, rope, thong, tie (rare; not in Cic.).

  1. I. Lit.: tortae, ship’s rigging, Att. ap. Non. p. 200, 33 (Trag. Rel. v. 577 Rib.); Plaut. Ep. 5, 1, 11: copulā vinctum ante se Thynem agere, Nep. Dat. 3, 2; cf.: copula dura canem tenet, a leash, Ov. Tr. 5, 9, 28; id. M. 7, 769; App. M. 7, p. 769: pectora copulae sparteae triturā continuā exulcerati (muli), id. ib. 9, p. 224 fin.
    Of the clasp of a bracelet, Capitol. Max. Jun. 1, 8.
    Of grapnel-hooks, etc., by which vessels were held in battle: eādem de causā minus commode copulis continebantur (naves), Caes. B. G. 3, 13 ex conj. (MSS. scopulis).
  2. II. Trop., a bond, tie, connection; of love: irrupta tenet, Hor. C. 1, 13, 18: nuptialis, App. M. 2, p. 120; so, copula, Dig. 5, 4, 24; 5, 4, 26; cf.: (Hymenaee), copula sacra deum, Mart. Cap. 1, § 1 Kopp ad loc.
    Of friendship: talium virorum, Nep. Att. 5, 3.
    Of words, Quint. 7, 10, 17; Nigid. ap. Gell. 10, 5, 1: ut dignitas eloquendi copulationis ipsius decore servetur, Mart. Cap. 5, § 509.