For two things to be a couple they must be of one general kind, and their number unimportant to the statement made of them. It would be weak to say, "He gave me only one, although he took a couple for himself." Couple expresses indifference to the exact number, as does several. That is true, even in the phrase, a married couple, for the number is carried in the adjective and needs no emphasis.

Created for First Performed

Stage slang. "Burbage created the part of Hamlet." What was it that its author did to it?

Critically for Seriously

"He has long been critically ill." A patient is critically ill only at the crisis of his disease.

Criticise for Condemn, or Disparage

Criticism is not necessarily censorious; it may approve.

Cunning for Amusing

Usually said of a child, or pet. This is pure Americanese, as is its synonym, "cute."

Curious for Odd, or Singular

To be curious is to have an inquiring mind, or mood – curiosity.

Custom for Habit

Communities have customs; individuals, habits – commonly bad ones.

Decease for Die Decidedly for Very, or Certainly

"It is decidedly cold."

Declared for Said

To a newspaper reporter no one seems ever to say anything; all "declare." Like "alleged" (which see) the word is tiresome exceedingly.

Defalcation for Default

A defalcation is a cutting off, a subtraction; a default is a failure in duty.

Definitely for Definitively

"It was definitely decided." Definitely means precisely, with exactness; definitively means finally, conclusively.