Word: copper Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is inherited from Middle English coper, copper (“copper ore; copper metal; bronze”), from Old English coper, copor (“copper”), from Late Latin cuprum (“copper”), a contraction of Latin aes Cyprium (literally “Cyprian brass or copper”), ultimately from Ancient Greek Κῠ́προς (Kŭ́pros, “Cyprus”) (a major source of copper during the Near East’s Bronze Age), from the name of a Northwest Semitic goddess from the root כ־ב־ר/ك ب ر (k b r) (“related to being big, large; great; or old”). Doublet of kobo. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The verb is also derived from the noun. cognates * Dutch koper (“copper”) * German Kupfer (“copper”) * Icelandic kopar (“copper”) Pronunciation: /ˈkɒpə/, /ˈkɑpəɹ/, /ˈkɔpə/, /ˈkɒ-/ 1. A reddish-brown metallic chemical element (symbol Cu) with the atomic number 29; also, the metal made up of this element. Labels: uncountable Example: Men talke much […] of the Philoſophers ſtone, that it turneth copper into gold; […] Example: Through the clear smooth water her copper shone brightly; […] 2. The reddish-brown colour of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1). Labels: broadly, uncountable Example: Near-synonyms: chestnut, russet 3. The reddish-brown colour of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1). Labels: broadly, countable 4. Any of various specialized items made of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1), where the use of the metal is either necessary or traditional to the function of the item. Labels: broadly, countable, dated Example: Coppers are generally good for a year, if the battery is carefully attended; they should, however, be removed before they have increased to such a size that their removal might cause the destruction of the glass jars. Example: Every millwright should have some soldering tools, and he ought to know how to use them. […] Coppers weighing one pound each are the smallest ever needed in a paper mill, and one 2-pound copper should be bought also. […] Having made the solder and bought "coppers," the first job is to tin them. Some coppers come already tinned. I didn't buy mine, so they surely were not tinned. 5. Any of various specialized items made of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1), where the use of the metal is either necessary or traditional to the function of the item. Labels: broadly, countable, dated Example: [H]e slid down from his seat, and darted into the public house, reappearing in a few moments with a copper of ale and a horn in his hand: he and another man held open the horses' mouths, and poured the ale through the horn down their throats. 6. Any of various specialized items made of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1), where the use of the metal is either necessary or traditional to the function of the item. Labels: broadly, countable, dated Example: [H]e went to sleep, taking first out of his pocket a book,[…]. It proved to be my old favorite author, [John] Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, in Dutch, finely printed on good paper, with copper cuts, a dress better than I had ever seen it wear in its own language. 7. Any of various specialized items made of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1), where the use of the metal is either necessary or traditional to the function of the item. Labels: broadly, countable, dated Example: Light VVenches may proue plagues to men forſ[w]orne, / If ſo our Copper byes no better treaſure. Example: I remember the time when rascally company were kept out, and the unlucky boys with toys and balls were whipped away by a beadle. I have seen this done indeed of late, but then it has been only to chase away the lads from chuck, that the beadle might seize their copper. 8. Any of various specialized items made of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1), where the use of the metal is either necessary or traditional to the function of the item. Labels: US, broadly, countable, dated 9. Any of various specialized items made of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1), where the use of the metal is either necessary or traditional to the function of the item. Labels: Australia, UK, broadly, countable, dated Example: Mum would heat the water in a copper in the kitchen and transfer it to the tin bath. Example: Socks can’t be boiled up in the copper with the sheets and towels or they shrink.