How Do You Spell COUCHANT?

Pronunciation: [kˈa͡ʊt͡ʃənt] (IPA)

The word couchant is commonly used in heraldry to describe an animal depicted lying down with its head up. Despite its unfamiliar spelling, it follows a straightforward phonetic pattern. The first syllable is pronounced "kow" (IPA /kaʊ/), like the sound a cow makes. The second syllable is "shant" (IPA /ʃənt/), rhyming with "rant." So, couchant is pronounced as "KOW-shant" (IPA /kaʊʃənt/). Knowing the correct pronunciation will help to avoid any confusion when encountering this word in a heraldic context.

COUCHANT Meaning and Definition

1. Couchant is an adjective that is primarily used in heraldry to describe the posture or position of an animal depicted lying down with its body resting on its front legs and its head raised, alert and facing forward. The term is derived from the French word "coucher," which means "to lie down." In this context, couchant is often used to describe the position of certain animals, such as lions or dogs, in coat of arms or emblems.

   Couchant is also sometimes used more generally to describe any animal or creature lying down in a similar posture as used in heraldry. It conveys an image of readiness, vigilance, and strength, as the animal is poised to spring into action. The term may also be applied metaphorically to describe a person or thing in a similar position of preparedness or anticipation.

   Outside of heraldry, couchant is less commonly used in everyday language. However, it may occasionally be employed in literature or poetry to evoke a sense of stillness, watchfulness, or intensity. The word couchant carries a sense of restrained power and potential, capturing the moment before action or movement occurs. It is a word that can conjure imagery of a creature caught in a moment of intense focus, projecting an aura of both calm and readiness.

2. Lying down with the head raised up.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for COUCHANT

• xouchant
• vouchant
• fouchant
• douchant
• ciuchant
• ckuchant
• cluchant
• cpuchant
• c0uchant
• c9uchant
• coychant
• cohchant
• cojchant
• coichant
• co8chant
• co7chant
• couxhant
• couvhant
• coufhant

Etymology of COUCHANT

The word "couchant" comes from the Old French term "couchier", which means "to lie down" or "to recline". It is derived from the Latin word "collocare", meaning "to place" or "to put". In heraldry, "couchant" refers to an animal depicted lying down with its head raised and looking forward. It is often used to describe the position of an animal on a coat of arms.

Similar spelling words for COUCHANT

• cowhand,
• currant,
• count,
• cocoanut,
• coconut,
• merchant,
• coaching,
• county,
• Can't,
• chant.