Cop"per , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coppered (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Coppering.]
To cover or coat with copper; to sheathe with sheets of copper; as,
to copper a ship.
Cop"per (?), n. [OE.
coper (cf. D. koper, Sw. koppar, Dan. kobber, G. kupfer),
LL. cuper, fr. L. cuprum for earlier
Cyprium, Cyprium aes, i.e., Cyprian brass, fr. Gr. &?; of Cyprus (Gr. &?;), anciently
renowned for its copper mines. Cf.
Cypreous.]
1. A common metal of a reddish
color, both ductile and malleable, and very tenacious. It is one of the best
conductors of heat and electricity. Symbol Cu. Atomic weight 63.3. It is one of the most useful metals in itself, and also in its
alloys, brass and bronze.
&fist; Copper is the
only metal which occurs native abundantly in large masses; it is found also
in various ores, of which the
most important are chalcopyrite, chalcocite, cuprite, and malachite. Copper mixed with tin forms bell metal; with a smaller proportion, bronze; and with zinc, it forms brass, pinchbeck, and other alloys.
2. A coin
made of copper; a penny, cent, or other minor coin of
copper. [Colloq.]
My friends filled my pockets with coppers.
Franklin.
3.
A vessel, especially a large boiler, made of copper.
4. pl. Specifically (Naut.), the boilers in the galley for cooking; as, a
ship's coppers.
&fist; Copper is often used adjectively, commonly
in the sense of made or consisting of copper, or resembling copper; as, a copper boiler, tube, etc.
All
in a hot and copper sky.
Coleridge.
It is sometimes written in combination; as, copperplate, coppersmith, copper- colored.
Copper finch. (Zoöl.)
See Chaffinch. -- Copper glance, or Vitreous copper. (Min.) See
Chalcocite. -- Indigo copper.
(Min.) See Covelline.
Hear it pronounced