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cope

Pronunciation: /ˈkəʊp/

The English word “cope” has 20 meanings listed here.

verb

  1. To deal effectively with something, especially if difficult.
  2. To cut and form a mitred joint in wood or metal.
  3. To clip the beak or talons of a bird.
  4. To cover (a joint or structure) with coping.
  5. To form a cope or arch; to arch or bend; to bow.
  6. To bargain for; to buy.
  7. To exchange or barter.
  8. To make return for; to requite; to repay.
  9. To match oneself against; to meet; to encounter.
  10. To encounter; to meet; to have to do with.
  11. To tie or sew up the mouth of a ferret used for hunting rabbits.

noun

  1. A coping mechanism or self-delusion one clings to in order to endure a hopeless situation.
  2. A long, loose cloak worn by a priest, deacon, or bishop when presiding over a ceremony other than the Mass.
  3. Any covering such as a canopy or a mantle.
  4. The vault or canopy of the skies, heavens etc.
  5. 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.
  6. The top part of a sand casting mold.
  7. An ancient tribute due to the lord of the soil, out of the lead mines in Derbyshire, England.

interjection

  1. An expression of spite towards someone who suffered a setback.
  2. A contemptuous dismissal, implying that someone should deal with some problem on their own and that the speaker will not engage any further.

Etymology

From Middle English coupen, from Old French coper, couper (“to strike, to cut”). The noun use went mainstream around 2020.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.