n. & v. sl.
n. 1 a policeman. 2 Brit. a capture or arrest (it's a fair cop).
v.tr. (copped, copping) 1 catch or arrest (an offender). 2 receive, suffer. 3 take, seize. cop it 1 get into trouble; be punished. 2 be killed. cop out 1 withdraw; give up an attempt. 2 go back on a promise. 3 escape. cop-out n. 1 a cowardly or feeble evasion. 2 an escape; a way of escape. cop-shop a police station. not much (or no) cop Brit. of little or no value or use.
[ perh. f. obs. cap arrest f. OF caper seize f. L capere: (n.) cf. COPPER(2) ]