copper
1 of 3noun (1)
cop·per ˈkä-pər 
plural coppers
often attributive
1
: a metallic chemical element that is easily formed into sheets and wires and is one of the best known conductors of heat and electricity see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a coin or token made of copper or bronze
3
chiefly British : a large boiler (as for cooking)
4
: any of a subfamily (Lycaeninae of the family Lycaenidae) of small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings
copper
2 of 3verb
coppered; coppering ˈkä-p(ə-)riŋ
transitive verb
: to coat or sheathe with or as if with copper
copper
3 of 3noun (2)
plural coppers
: police officer
Synonyms
Noun (2)
- bobby [British]
- bull [slang]
- constable [chiefly British]
- cop
- flatfoot [slang]
- fuzz
- gendarme
- lawman
- officer
- police officer
- policeman
- shamus [slang]
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English coper, from Old English, from Late Latin cuprum copper, from Latin (aes) Cyprium, literally, Cyprian metal
Noun (2)
cop entry 2
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1530, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1846, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing copper
Kids Definition
copper
noun
cop·per ˈkä-pər
1
: a tough reddish metallic chemical element that is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity
2
: a reddish brown color
copper hair
Medical Definition
copper
noun
cop·per ˈkäp-ər
often attributive
: a common reddish metallic element that is ductile and malleable and one of the best conductors of heat and electricity —symbol Cu see Chemical Elements Table
copper
noun
as in policeman
a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level a crime novel set in the days when policemen were coppers and safecrackers were "yeggs" Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- policeman
- officer
- cop
- constable
- sheriff
- bull
- fuzz
- bobby
- gendarme
- lawman
- police officer
- inspector
- police
- shamus
- flatfoot
- sergeant
- detective
- dick
- constabulary
- hawkshaw
- trooper
- investigator
- lieutenant
- man
- heat
- sherlock
- police force
- sleuth
- sleuthhound
- private eye
- gumshoe
- policewoman
- patrolman
- marshal
- plainclothesman
- operative
- private detective
- peace officer
- marshall
- captain
- private investigator
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- civilian