copper

1 of 3

noun (1)

cop·​per ˈkä-pər 

plural coppers

often attributive

1

: a metallic chemical element that is easily formed into sheets and wires and is one of the best known conductors of heat and electricity see Chemical Elements Table

2

: a coin or token made of copper or bronze

3

chiefly British : a large boiler (as for cooking)

4

: any of a subfamily (Lycaeninae of the family Lycaenidae) of small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings

copper

2 of 3

verb

coppered; coppering ˈkä-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to coat or sheathe with or as if with copper

copper

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural coppers

: police officer

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• bobby [British]
• bull [slang]
• constable [chiefly British]
• cop
• flatfoot [slang]
• fuzz
• gendarme
• lawman
• officer
• police officer
• policeman
• shamus [slang]

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English coper, from Old English, from Late Latin cuprum copper, from Latin (aes) Cyprium, literally, Cyprian metal

Noun (2)

cop entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1846, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing copper

• chromated copper arsenate
• copper beech
• copper pyrites
• copper sulfate
• copper-bottomed

• chromated copper arsenate
• copper beech
• copper pyrites
• copper sulfate
• copper-bottomed

Kids Definition

copper

1 of 2 noun

cop·​per ˈkäp-ər 

1

: a reddish metallic element that is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity see element

2

: a copper or bronze coin

3

chiefly British : a large copper kettle or boiler

4

: any of various small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings

coppery

ˈkäp-(ə-)rē

adjective

copper

2 of 2 noun

: police officer

Medical Definition

copper

noun

cop·​per ˈkäp-ər 

often attributive

: a common reddish metallic element that is ductile and malleable and one of the best conductors of heat and electricity

—symbol Cu see Chemical Elements Table

coppery

ˈkäp-(ə-)rē 

adjective