cope

verb (1)

\ ˈkōp

coped; coping

Definition of cope

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties —often used with with learning to cope with the demands of her schedule

b : to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success —used with with

2 archaic : meet, encounter

3 obsolete : strike, fight

transitive verb

1 obsolete : to meet in combat

2 obsolete : to come in contact with

3 obsolete : match

cope

noun

Definition of cope (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment The priest wore a cope for the benediction.

2a : something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering) … the dark sky's starry cope …— P. B. Shelley

b : coping

cope

verb (2)

coped; coping

Definition of cope (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

: to cover or furnish with a cope

cope

verb (3)

coped; coping

Definition of cope (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member

2 : notch

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Examples of cope in a Sentence

Noun

committed their nefarious deeds under the dark cope of night

First Known Use of cope

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

circa 1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for cope

Verb (1)

Middle English copen, coupen, from Anglo-French couper to strike, cut, from cop, colp blow, from Late Latin colpus, alteration of Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos buffet

Noun and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English -cāp, from Late Latin cappa head covering

Verb (3)

probably from French couper to cut

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Dictionary Entries near cope

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Time Traveler for cope

The first known use of cope was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for cope

cope

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cope

: a long, loose piece of clothing that is worn by a priest on special occasions

See the full definition for cope in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cope

verb

\ ˈkōp

coped; coping

Kids Definition of cope

: to deal with and try to find solutions for problems

cope

intransitive verb

\ ˈkōp

coped; coping

Medical Definition of cope

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties —usually used with with helping children cope with grief

COPE

abbreviation

Medical Definition of COPE (Entry 2 of 2)

chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema

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cope

Definition of cope

Synonyms for cope

Examples of cope in a Sentence

First Known Use of cope

History and Etymology for cope

Learn More about cope

Dictionary Entries near cope

Statistics for cope

The first known use of cope was in the 13th century

English Language Learners Definition of cope

Kids Definition of cope

Medical Definition of cope

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