Defn: A preliminary layer, as of color, size, etc.
COUCHANCY
Couch"an*cy (kouch"an-s), n.
Defn: State of lying down for repose. [R.]
COUCHANT Couch"ant (kouch"ant), a. Etym: [F., p. pr. of coucher. See Couch, v. t.]
1. Lying down with head erect; squatting.
2. (Her.)
Defn: Lying down with the head raised, which distinguishes the posture of couchant from that of dormant, or sleeping; — said of a lion or other beast. Couchant and levant (Law), rising up and lying down; — said of beasts, and indicating that they have been long enough on land, not belonging to their owner, to lie down and rise up to feed, — such time being held to include a day and night at the least. Blackstone.
COUCHE Cou`ché" (k`sh"), a. Etym: [F., p. p. of coucher. See Couch, v. t. ] (Her.) (a) Not erect; inclined; — said of anything that is usually erect, as an escutcheon. (b) Lying on its side; thus, a chevron couché is one which emerges from one side of the escutcheon and has its apex on the opposite side, or at the fess point.
COUCHED
Couched (koucht), a. (Her.)
Defn: Same as Couch.