[cope] n [ME, fr. OE -cap, fr. LL cappa head covering] (13c) 1: a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment
2. a: something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering) "the dark sky's starry ~ --P. B. Shelley" b: coping
[2]cope vt coped ; cop.ing (14c): to cover or furnish with a cope [3]cope vb coped ; cop.ing [ME copen, coupen, fr. MF couper to strike, cut, fr. OF, fr. coup blow, fr. LL colpus, alter. of L colaphus, fr. Gk kolaphos buffet] vi (14c) 1 obs: strike, fight
2. a: to maintain a contest or combat usu. on even terms or with success--used with with b: to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties--often used with with 3 archaic: meet, encounter ~ vt 1 obs: to meet in combat
2. obs: to come in contact with 3 obs: match [4]cope vt coped ; cop.ing [prob. fr. F couper to cut] (ca. 1901) 1: to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member
2: notch