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copuler

to copulate

verb ko-pü-LEH Rare
Body & Health Health & Illness

Origin: Latin copulare 'to join together'

Usage Note

Copuler is the clinical or formal verb for sexual intercourse, used mainly in scientific, zoological, and literary contexts. In everyday speech, French speakers use a range of colloquial expressions instead. The noun form is copulation (f). The word's Latin root also gives French couple and accoupler ('to pair/mate').

Examples

"Ces insectes copulent au printemps."

Natural Translation

These insects copulate in spring.

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