copper

Meanings

Noun

• 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.
• 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.
• Any of various lycaenid butterflies with copper-coloured upperwings, especially those of the genera Lycaena and Paralucia.
• A police officer.

Adjective

• Made of copper.
• Having the reddish-brown colour/color of copper.

Verb

• To sheathe or coat with copper.

Related

Similar words

• chestnut, russet
• coppern
• coppery

Origin

• From Middle English coper, from Old English coper, copor, from Late Latin cuprum ("copper"), contraction of Latin aes Cyprium, from Ancient Greek Κύπρος ("Cyprus"). Cognate with Dutch koper ("copper"), German Kupfer ("copper"), Icelandic kopar ("copper").
• From cop + -er.