[a. L. cōpula, f. co(m)- together + ap-ĕre to fasten, fit, with dim. suffix.]
1. Logic and Gram. That part of a proposition which connects the subject and predicate; the present tense of the verb to be (with or without a negative) employed as a mere sign of predication.
1650. Vind. Hammond’s Addr., § 62. 25. It belongs to the Copula, or word (Is).
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., II. i. § 6. 46. Not properly one simple part of speech, but rather a mixture of two, namely the Predicate and Copula.
1725. Watts, Logic, II. i. A proposition is usually denominated affirmative or negative from its copula.
1846. Mill, Logic, I. i. § 2. The Copula is the sign denoting that there is an affirmation or denial.
1887. Fowler, Deduct. Logic, II. ii. 25.
2. gen. A connection; a link.
1656. Hardy, 1st Ep. John (1865), 185/1. This [faith] brings, as it were, the Copula, that which knits Christ and the Christian together.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Lit., Wks. (Bohn), II. 109. No copula had been detected between any cause and effect either in physics or in thought.
3. Anat. A part (e.g., a bone, cartilage or ligament) connecting other parts.
1681. trans. Willis’ Rem. Med. Wks., Vocab., Copula, A joyning or fastning together, fettering.
1851–60. Mayne, Expos. Lex., Copula, old term for a ligament.
1882. Syd. Soc. Lex., Copula magna cerebri, a synonym of the Corpus callosum.
1878. Bell, Gegenbaur’s Comp. Anat., 469. As a rule its [the hyoid arch’s] copula is increased in size and affords a support for the tongue.
4. A COUPLER in the organ.
1852. Seidel, Organ, 67. The copula is that contrivance by which two or more key-boards are so connected, that if the one is played upon, the other acts at the same time.
5. Mus. A short connecting passage; = CODETTA, CONDUIT 7; a ‘link.’
1879. Ouseley, in Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 568/1. A few notes to connect the subject and answer…. Such connecting notes are named the Codetta, conduit, or copula.
6. Sexual union. [A term of Roman Law.]
1864. Ld. Chancellor (in Times, 8 June). Supposing this promise to be given in England in writing: ‘When we go back to Edinburgh I will marry you;’ and, on the faith of this, copula follows in Scotland.
