coupon

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A negotiable certificate attached to a bond that represents a sum of interest due.
2. n. One of a set of detachable certificates that may be torn off and redeemed as needed: a food coupon.
3. n. A detachable part, as of a ticket or advertisement, that entitles the bearer to certain benefits, such as a cash refund or gift.
4. n. A certificate accompanying a product that may be redeemed for a cash discount.
5. n. A printed form, as in an advertisement, to be used as an order blank or for requesting information or obtaining a discount on merchandise.
6. n. A detachable slip calling for periodic payments, as for merchandise bought on an installment plan.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A printed certificate or ticket attached to and forming part of an original or principal certificate or ticket, and intended to be detached when used. Specifically— An interest certificate printed at the bottom of a bond running for a term of years. There are as many of these certificates as there are payments to be made. At each time of payment one is cut off and presented for payment. In the United States coupons are negotiable instruments on which suits may be brought though detached from the bond. A purchaser of an over-due coupon takes only the title of the seller. Negotiable coupons are entitled to days of grace.
2. n. One of a series of conjoined tickets which bind the issuer to make certain payments, perform some service (as transportation over connecting railroad lines), or give value for certain amounts at different periods, in consideration of money received. At the settlement of each claim a coupon is detached and given up.
3. n. A small piece of metal made as a part of another piece to serve as a sample for testing-purposes.

Wiktionary

1. n. obsolete A certificate of interest due, printed at the bottom of transferable bonds (state, railroad, etc.), given for a term of years, designed to be cut off and presented for payment when the interest is due; an interest warrant.
2. n. finance Any interest payment made or due on a bond, debenture or similar (no longer by a physical coupon).
3. n. A section of a ticket, showing the holder to be entitled to some specified accommodation or service, as to a passage over a designated line of travel, a particular seat in a theater, a discount, etc.
4. n. Scotland The face.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Com.) A certificate of interest due, printed at the bottom of transferable bonds (state, railroad, etc.), given for a term of years, designed to be cut off and presented for payment when the interest is due; an interest warrant.
2. n. A section of a ticket, showing the holder to be entitled to some specified accomodation or service, as to a passage over a designated line of travel, a particular seat in a theater, or the like.
3. n. a ticket or form allowing the bearer to purchase a specific quantity of rationed goods; -- such coupons are typically issued by a governmental agency.
4. n. a printed form, often distributed as part of an advertisement, entitling the bearer to purchase a specific item of merchandise at a discount; or, a similar form which may be submitted to the issuer to obtain goods or information. Such coupons may be issued by the manufacturer (manufacturer's coupon) or by a retail establishment; in the latter case they may then be redeemed only at that particular retail store.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a test sample of some substance
2. n. a negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed