cope

1
[ kohp ]
/ koʊp /

verb (used without object), coped, cop·ing.

to struggle or deal, especially on fairly even terms or with some degree of success (usually followed by with): I will try to cope with his rudeness.
to face and deal with responsibilities, problems, or difficulties, especially successfully or in a calm or adequate manner: After his breakdown he couldn't cope any longer.
Archaic. to come into contact; meet (usually followed by with).

verb (used with object), coped, cop·ing.

British Informal. to cope with.
Obsolete. to come into contact with; encounter.

Origin of cope

1
1300–50; Middle English coupen < Anglo-French, Old French couper to strike, derivative of coup coup1

OTHER WORDS FROM cope

cope·less, adjective cope·less·ness, noun

Definition for cope (2 of 4)

cope 2
[ kohp ]
/ koʊp /

noun

a long mantle, especially of silk, worn by ecclesiastics over the alb or surplice in processions and on other occasions.
any cloaklike or canopylike covering.
the sky.
a coping.
Metallurgy. the upper half of a flask. Compare drag(def 32).

verb (used with object), coped, cop·ing.

to furnish with or as if with a cope or coping.

Origin of cope

2
1175–1225; Middle English < Medieval Latin cāpa, variant of cappa cap1

Definition for cope (3 of 4)

cope 3
[ kohp ]
/ koʊp /

verb (used with object), coped, cop·ing.

Building Trades.
  1. to join (two molded wooden members) by undercutting the end of one of them to the profile of the other so that the joint produced resembles a miter joint (usually followed by in or together).
  2. to form (a joint between such members) in this way.
  3. to undercut the end of (a molded wooden member) in order to form a coped joint.
  4. to cut away (a flange of a metal member) so that it may be joined to another member at an angle.
Falconry. to clip or dull (the beak or talons of a hawk).

Origin of cope

3
1565–75; < French couper to cut; see cope1

Definition for cope (4 of 4)

cope 4
[ kohp ]
/ koʊp /

verb (used with object), coped, cop·ing. British.

to barter; trade; exchange.

Origin of cope

4
1400–50; late Middle English copen < Low German; compare Middle Dutch côpen to buy

Example sentences from the Web for cope

British Dictionary definitions for cope (1 of 4)

cope 1
/ (kəʊp) /

verb

(intr foll by with) to contend (against)
(intr) to deal successfully with or handle a situation; manage she coped well with the problem
(tr) archaic
  1. to deal with
  2. to meet in battle

Word Origin for cope

C14: from Old French coper to strike, cut, from coup blow; see coup 1

British Dictionary definitions for cope (2 of 4)

cope 2
/ (kəʊp) /

noun

a large ceremonial cloak worn at solemn liturgical functions by priests of certain Christian sects
any covering shaped like a cope

verb

(tr) to dress (someone) in a cope

Word Origin for cope

Old English cāp, from Medieval Latin cāpa, from Late Latin cappa hooded cloak; see cap

British Dictionary definitions for cope (3 of 4)

cope 3
/ (kəʊp) /

verb (tr)

to provide (a wall) with a coping
to join (two moulded timber members)

noun

another name for coping

Word Origin for cope

C17: probably from French couper to cut; see cope 1

British Dictionary definitions for cope (4 of 4)

COPE
/ (kəʊp) /

n acronym for (in South Africa)

Congress of the People: a political party founded in 2008 by dissident members of the ANC

Medical definitions for cope

cope
[ kōp ]

v.

To contend with difficulties with the intent to overcome them.