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copper

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒpə/

The English word “copper” has 20 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A reddish-brown metallic chemical element (symbol Cu) with the atomic number 29; also, the metal made up of this element.
  2. The reddish-brown colour of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1).
  3. In full copper butterfly: any of various lycaenid butterflies with copper-coloured upperwings, especially those of the genera Lycaena and Paralucia.
  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.
  5. A copper mug used for drinking alcoholic beverages.
  6. A copper sheet on which an image or writing is engraved.
  7. A coin, typically of a small denomination, originally made of copper and now chiefly of other metals such as bronze; specifically, an English or British penny or halfpenny; also, a United States cent; (uncountable) coins made of copper collectively.
  8. In the game of faro: originally a copper coin, now usually a small disc or token, placed on a playing card to indicate that a player bets against that card.
  9. A large pot, originally made of copper but later often of iron, filled with water and heated over a fire for cooking, washing clothes, etc.
  10. A police officer, especially one in uniform.
  11. Chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: a private detective or a security guard.
  12. A person working as an informer for the police; a nark
  13. A prisoner who informs on fellow prisoners.

adjective

  1. Made of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1).
  2. Having the reddish-brown colour of copper.

verb

  1. To coat or sheathe (something) with copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1).
  2. To give (something) a colour by applying a copper salt.
  3. To give copper coins to (someone); to pay.
  4. In the game of faro: to place a copper coin, or now usually a small disc or token, on (a playing card) to indicate that a player bets against that card.
  5. To bet against (something).

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…

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.