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
coppers
noun
as in cops
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
- cops
- policemen
- officers
- constables
- sheriffs
- bobbies
- lawmen
- gendarmes
- police
- police officers
- detectives
- bulls
- inspectors
- constabularies
- troopers
- patrolmen
- investigators
- sergeants
- policewomen
- fuzzes
- shamuses
- flatfeet
- plainclothesmen
- sleuths
- dicks
- gumshoes
- marshals
- operatives
- lieutenants
- sherlocks
- men
- sleuthhounds
- peace officers
- police forces
- marshalls
- hawkshaws
- captains
- private detectives
- private investigators
- private eyes
- heat
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- civilians