copper

1
[ kop-er ]
/ ˈkɒp ər /

noun

adjective

made of copper: copper kettles.
reddish-brown; coppery: The copper sun sank into the sea.

verb (used with object)

to cover, coat, or sheathe with copper.
Informal. hedge(def 6).

Origin of copper

1
before 1000; Middle English coper, Old English coper, copor (cognate with Old Norse koparr, German Kupfer) < Late Latin cuprum, for Latin ( aes) Cyprium Cyprian (metal)

Definition for copper (2 of 2)

copper 2
[ kop-er ]
/ ˈkɒp ər /

noun Slang.

a police officer.

Origin of copper

2
1840–50, Americanism; perhaps cop1 + -er1

Example sentences from the Web for copper

British Dictionary definitions for copper (1 of 2)

copper 1
/ (ˈkɒpə) /

noun

  1. a malleable ductile reddish metallic element occurring as the free metal, copper glance, and copper pyrites: used as an electrical and thermal conductor and in such alloys as brass and bronze. Symbol: Cu; atomic no: 29; atomic wt: 63.546; valency: 1 or 2; relative density: 8.96; melting pt: 1084.87±+0.2°C; boiling pt: 2563°CRelated adjectives: cupric, cuprous Related prefix: cupro-
  2. (as modifier)a copper coin
  1. the reddish-brown colour of copper
  2. (as adjective)copper hair
informal any copper or bronze coin
mainly British a large vessel, formerly of copper, used for boiling or washing
any of various small widely distributed butterflies of the genera Lycaena, Heodes, etc, typically having reddish-brown wings: family Lycaenidae

verb

(tr) to coat or cover with copper

Derived forms of copper

coppery, adjective

Word Origin for copper

Old English coper, from Latin Cyprium aes Cyprian metal, from Greek Kupris Cyprus

British Dictionary definitions for copper (2 of 2)

copper 2
/ (ˈkɒpə) /

noun

a slang word for policeman Often shortened to: cop

Word Origin for copper

C19: from cop 1 (vb) + -er 1

Medical definitions for copper

copper
[ kŏpər ]

n. Symbol Cu

A malleable metallic trace element used in its salt forms as an astringent, deodorant, and antifungal, and whose radioisotope is used in brain scans and for diagnosing Wilson's disease. Atomic number 29.

Scientific definitions for copper (1 of 2)

copper
[ kŏpər ]

Cu

A reddish-brown, ductile, malleable metallic element that is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. It is widely used for electrical wires, water pipes, and rust-resistant parts, either in its pure form or in alloys such as brass and bronze. Atomic number 29; atomic weight 63.546; melting point 1,083°C; boiling point 2,595°C; specific gravity 8.96; valence 1, 2. See Periodic Table. See Note at element.

Scientific definitions for copper (2 of 2)

Copper and Stone Age

See Chalcolithic.