COPPER

copper

(noun) any of various small butterflies of the family Lycaenidae having coppery wings

copper, copper color

(noun) a reddish-brown color resembling the color of polished copper

bull, cop, copper, fuzz, pig

(noun) uncomplimentary terms for a policeman

copper

(noun) a copper penny

copper, Cu, atomic number

(noun) a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor

copper

(verb) coat with a layer of copper

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

copper (countable and uncountable, plural coppers)

(uncountable) A reddish-brown, malleable, ductile metallic element with high electrical and thermal conductivity, symbol Cu, and atomic number 29.

The reddish-brown colour/color of copper.

(countable, dated) Any of various specialized items that are made of copper, where the use of copper is either traditional or vital to the function of the item.

(countable) A copper coin, typically of a small denomination, such as a penny.

(UK, AU, dated) A large pot, often used for heating water or washing clothes over a fire. In Australasia at least, it could also be a fixed installation made of copper, with a fire underneath and its own chimney. Generally made redundant by the advent of the washing machine.

(entomology) Any of various lycaenid butterflies with copper-coloured upperwings, especially those of the genera Lycaena and Paralucia.

Synonyms

• (colour): chestnut, russet

Adjective

copper (comparative more copper, superlative most copper)

Made of copper.

Having the reddish-brown colour/color of copper.

Synonyms

• (made of copper): coppern (archaic)

• (having the colour/color of copper): coppery

Verb

copper (third-person singular simple present coppers, present participle coppering, simple past and past participle coppered)

To sheathe or coat with copper.

Etymology 2

Noun

copper (plural coppers)

(slang, law enforcement) A police officer.

Synonyms

• (policeman): police officer, constable, cop, see also police officer

Proper noun

Copper (plural Coppers)

A surname.

Statistics

• According to the 2010 United States Census, Copper is the 10030th most common surname in the United States, belonging to 3211 individuals. Copper is most common among White (56.84%) and Black/African American (36.69%) individuals.

Source: Wiktionary


Cop"per, n. Etym: [OE. coper (cf. D. koper, Sw. koppar, Dan. kobber, G. kupfer), LL. cuper, fr. L. cuprum for earlier Cyprium, Cyprium aes, i.e., Cyprian brass, fr. Gr. Cypreous.]

1. A common metal of a reddish color, both ductile and malleable, and very tenacious. It is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity. Symbol Cu. Atomic weight 63.3. It is one of the most useful metals in itself, and also in its alloys, brass and bronze.

Note: Copper is the only metal which occurs native abundantly in large masses; it is found also in various ores, of which the most important are chalcopyrite, chalcocite, cuprite, and malachite. Copper mixed with tin forms bell metal; with a smaller proportion, bronze; and with zinc, it forms brass, pinchbeck, and other alloys.

2. A coin made of copper; a penny, cent, or other minor coin of copper. [Colloq.] My friends filled my pockets with coppers. Franklin.

3. A vessel, especially a large boiler, made of copper.

4. pl. Specifically (Naut.),

Definition: the boilers in the galley for cooking; as, a ship's coppers.

Note: Copper is often used adjectively, commonly in the sense of made or consisting of copper, or resembling copper; as, a copper boiler, tube, etc. All in a hot and copper sky. Coleridge.

Note: It is sometimes written in combination; as, copperplate, coppersmith, copper-colored. Copper finch. (Zoöl.) See Chaffinch.

– Copper glance, or Vitreous copper. (Min.) See Chalcocite.

– Indigo copper. (Min.) See Covelline.

Cop"per, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Coppered; p.pr. & vb.n. Coppering.]

Definition: To cover or coat with copper; to sheathe with sheets of copper; as, to copper a ship.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

23 December 2024

QUANDONG

(noun) Australian tree having hard white timber and glossy green leaves with white flowers followed by one-seeded glossy blue fruit


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Coffee Trivia

The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.

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