copper English · revision 6787
16 Oct 2026, 12:39 by bogdan “en10k b0249: prevention … dawn” current version
Initial text
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+ English has two words spelled copper: the metal, and the slang word for a police officer.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /ˈkɒpə/, /ˈkɑpəɹ/^(Wiktionary)
+
+ {{homograph|1|metal}}
+
+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1000|origins=grc Κύπρος}}
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ The metal is Middle English coper, [[inh|ang|coper|t=copper]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) an early Germanic borrowing, like [[dum|coper]], [[non|koparr]] and [[goh|kupfar]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) of [[la-lat|cuprum]], from Latin [[m|la|Cyprium]] in [[m|la|aes Cyprium|t=metal of Cyprus]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[grc|Κύπρος|tr=Kúpros|t=Cyprus]], the island that was its chief ancient source.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The red metal: about 1000 in Barnhart and the OED, late Old English in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ Copper money, and a copper coin such as a penny, is from 1588.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) A large copper vessel, especially a boiler for laundry, is from 1667.^(OED 1989) The colour, reddish brown, is also called copper.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) The verb, to cover with copper, is from the mid-16th century, 1530 in MWU, and in faro to bet against a card by placing a copper coin on it, from the 19th century.^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 1000 – the metal.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)
+ * 1588 – a copper coin.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1667 – a copper boiler.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A reddish-brown [[metal|alt=metallic]] [[element]], symbol Cu, a good conductor of heat and electricity, used in wiring and in [[alloy|alt=alloys]] such as [[brass]] and [[bronze]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # A coin of copper or bronze, such as a [[penny]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # A large copper or iron vessel for boiling, especially laundry.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # A reddish-brown colour.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+
+ ===Verb===
+ # To coat or cover with copper.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[coppery]]
+ * [[copperplate]]
+ * [[coppersmith]]
+ * [[copperhead]]
+
+ {{homograph|2|police officer}}
+
+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1846}}
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ The police officer is formed from the slang verb [[cop]], to catch or arrest, and [[-er]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) Word Origins derives cop from a northern dialect word cap, to arrest, probably from [[la|capio|alt=capere|t=to take, seize]], so that a copper was a catcher.^(Cresswell 2021)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ A policeman: 1846.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The shortened [[cop]] followed.^(Cresswell 2021) In slang ''to turn copper'' is to inform on others, and the verb copper is to arrest or to inform the police (late 19th century).^(SOED 2002)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 1846 – a policeman.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # ''(informal)'' A [[police officer]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[copperas]]
+ * [[cupr-]]
+ * [[cupreous]]
+ * [[cupric]]
+ * [[cupriferous]]
+ * [[cuprite]]
+ * [[cupro-]]
+ * [[cuprous]]
+ * [[cop]]
+ * [[Cyprus]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}