I. ˈkōp noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English -cāp, from Late Latin cappa head covering
Date: 13th century
1. : a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment
2.
a. : something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering)
the dark sky's starry cope — P. B. Shelley
b. : coping
II. transitive verb
( coped ; cop·ing )
Date: 14th century
: to cover or furnish with a cope
III. verb
( coped ; cop·ing )
Etymology: Middle English copen, coupen, from Anglo-French couper to strike, cut, from cop, colp blow, from Late Latin colpus, alteration of Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos buffet
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : strike , fight
2.
a. : to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success — used with with
b. : to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties — often used with with
learning to cope with the demands of her schedule
3. archaic : meet , encounter
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to meet in combat
2. obsolete : to come in contact with
3. obsolete : match
IV. transitive verb
( coped ; cop·ing )
Etymology: probably from French couper to cut
Date: circa 1901
1. : to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member
2. : notch