sb. Also 8 coopee, coupie, coupé. [ad. F. coupé in same sense: see -EE.] A dance step formerly much used; the dancer rests on one foot and passes the other forward or backward, making a sort of salutation; hence, sometimes used for a bow made while advancing.
1673. Wycherley, Gentl. Dancing Master, III. i. One, two, and a coupee.
1690. D’Urfey, Collin’s Walk, iii. (D.). Coupees low from pauper drudges.
1708. Motteux, Rabelais, V. xxiv. (1737), 105. Jerts … Coupés, Hops, Leadings, Risings.
1757. Mrs. Griffith, Lett. Henry & Frances (1767), II. 105. Why shall a man practise coupees, who only means to walk?
1827. Lamb, Lett. to Barton, in Final Mem., viii. (1865), 261. Advancing … with a coupee and a sidelong bow.
Hence Coupee v. intr., to make this movement; to make a sort of bow or salutation in dancing.
1690. D’Urfey, Collin’s Walk, iii. (D.). [He] Would lose his freedom like a puppy, Rather than she [his daughter] not learn to coupee.
1707. J. Stevens, trans. Quevedo’s Com. Wks. (1709), 386. It being dubious whether I limp or coupee.
1748. Earthquake of Peru, iii. 255. That it may not hinder them in rising or coupeeing.
