1. lying down with the head raised, especially used to describe animals in heraldry
Usage: heraldic; formal

Examples

• The lion couchant appeared on the family’s coat of arms.
• In heraldry, a couchant animal is depicted lying down with its head up.
• The medieval shield featured a couchant stag beneath an oak tree.
• The artist painted the dog in a couchant position on the velvet cushion.
• Heraldic beasts are often shown either rampant or couchant.
• The couchant leopard symbolized watchful rest in the royal emblem.