copper

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, Canada, US dialects) enPR: kŏp'ə, IPA(key): /ˈkɒpə/ (General American, Canada, Canadian dialects) enPR: kä'pər, IPA(key): /ˈkɑpəɹ/ (General Australian, New Zealand) enPR: kŏp'ə, IPA(key): /ˈkɔpə/, /ˈkɒ-/ (MLE) IPA(key): [qʰɔpɑ] Rhymes: -ɒpə(ɹ) Hyphenation: cop‧per === Etymology 1 === 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. ==== Noun ==== copper (countable and uncountable, plural coppers) (uncountable, chemistry) A reddish-brown metallic chemical element (symbol Cu) with the atomic number 29; also, the metal made up of this element. Alternative form: Cu (symbol) (by extension) (uncountable) The reddish-brown colour of copper (etymology 1 sense 1). Coordinate terms: bronze, brass Near-synonyms: chestnut, russet (countable, entomology) In full copper butterfly: any of various lycaenid butterflies with copper-coloured upperwings, especially those of the genera Lycaena and Paralucia. (countable, dated) Any of various specialized items made of copper (etymology 1 sense 1), where the use of the metal is either necessary or traditional to the function of the item. (countable) A copper mug used for drinking alcoholic beverages. (countable) A copper sheet on which an image or writing is engraved. (numismatics, countable) A coin, typically of a small denomination, originally made of copper and now chiefly of other metals such as bronze; specifically, an English or British penny or halfpenny; also, a United States cent; (uncountable)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. (countable, US, card games) 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. (Australia, UK, countable, dated) A large pot, originally made of copper but later often of iron, filled with water and heated over a fire for cooking, washing clothes, etc. Coordinate terms: kettle, pot, cookpot, cooking pot, cauldron, spider, tub ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Related terms ===== ===== Descendants ===== Sranan Tongo: kapa ===== Translations ===== ===== See also ===== Appendix:Colors ==== Adjective ==== copper (comparative more copper, superlative most copper) Made of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1). Synonym: (archaic or poetic) coppern Having the reddish-brown colour of copper. Synonyms: coppery, copperish ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== copper (third-person singular simple present coppers, present participle coppering, simple past and past participle coppered) (transitive) To coat or sheathe (something) with copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1). To give (something) a colour by applying a copper salt. (dated) To give copper coins to (someone); to pay. (US, card games) 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. (figurative) To bet against (something). ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === The noun is probably derived from cop (“(informal, dated) to arrest or capture (someone)”) +‎ -er (suffix forming agent nouns), although cop is attested slightly later. The verb is derived from the noun. ==== Noun ==== copper (plural coppers) (slang) (law enforcement) (chiefly Australia, UK) A police officer, especially one in uniform. Synonyms: constable, cop; see also Thesaurus:police officer (US, dated or historical) Chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: a private detective or a security guard. (chiefly Australia, UK) An informer. A person working as an informer for the police; a nark A prisoner who informs on fellow prisoners. ===== Derived terms ===== bent copper ===== Related terms ===== cop (“police officer”) ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== copper (third-person singular simple present coppers, present participle coppering, simple past and past participle coppered) (law enforcement, slang) (transitive) (chiefly UK) To inform on (someone) to the police; to nark. (chiefly US, archaic) To arrest (someone). (intransitive, chiefly UK) To inform on someone to the police. ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 3 === From cop (“ball of thread wound on to a spindle in a spinning machine”) +‎ -er (suffix denoting things relating to the words to which the suffix is attached to). ==== Noun ==== copper (plural coppers) (spinning) A component of the cop (“conical ball of thread wound on to the spindle”) in a spinning machine. ===== Translations ===== === References === === Further reading === copper on Wikipedia.Wikipedia copper (color) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia copper (disambiguation) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia David Barthelmy (1997–2026), “Copper”, in Webmineral Mineralogy Database. “copper”, in Mindat.org, Keswick, Va.: Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, 2000–2026. == Middle English == === Noun === copper alternative form of coper