cope

Meanings

Verb

• To deal effectively with something, especially if difficult.
• To cut and form a mitred joint in wood or metal.
• To clip the beak or talons of a bird.
• To cover (a joint or structure) with coping.
• To form a cope or arch; to arch or bend; to bow.
• To bargain for; to buy.
• To exchange or barter.
• To make return for; to requite; to repay.
• To match oneself against; to meet; to encounter.
• To encounter; to meet; to have to do with.

Noun

• A coping mechanism or self-delusion one clings to in order to endure the hopelessness or despair of their existence.
• A long, loose cloak worn by a priest, deacon, or bishop when presiding over a ceremony other than the Mass.
• Any covering such as a canopy or a mantle.
• The vault or canopy of the skies, heavens etc.
• A covering piece on top of a wall exposed to the weather, usually made of metal, masonry, or stone, and sloped to carry off water.
• The top part of a sand casting mold.
• An ancient tribute due to the lord of the soil, out of the lead mines in Derbyshire, England.

Related

Similar words

• contend, hold it together

Opposite words

• lose one's shit

Origin

• From Middle English coupen, from Old French couper ("to strike, to cut").
• From Middle English cope, from Medieval Latin cāpa cap, cape, and chape.
• From Middle English copen, borrowed from Middle Dutch copen. Cognate with Dutch kopen, German kaufen.