Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CUPPLE, v. and n. Sc. form of Eng. couple, to link or join, and couple, a pair. The following uses are peculiar to Sc.
1. v. Found in vbl.n. cupplin = “the lower part of the backbone, . . . thus denominated from its being here joined or coupled to the os sacrum” (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff.2 1941); in pl. in phr. the cupplins o' the back, “usually indicating the junction of the os sacrum with the iliac bones on either side of it” (Fif.10 1941).
2. Comb.: cupplin-tow, “the rope which ties the bits of a pair of horses together when ploughing, etc.” (Abd.9 1941).Bnff.2 1930:
In the mids o' the meantime, the cupplin-tow brook, and een geed ae wye an the ither anither.
