cope

Less common meanings

4. 4
   wall topnouncountable

   A protective top layer on a wall, often stone or metal, sloped so rain runs off.

   Like a hat on a wall that keeps the rain off its top.

   The builders set a stone cope along the top of the garden wall.

   Rain ran off the sloped cope instead of soaking the bricks.

   Similarcapstone, cap

   Note
5. 5
   priest's cloaknouncountable

   A long, loose cloak that a priest or bishop wears at special church ceremonies.

   Like a special coat people wear only for important events.

   The bishop wore a golden cope during the procession.

   A heavy embroidered cope hung in the cathedral's vestry.

   Similarcloak, mantle

   Note
6. 6
   cap a wallverbtransitive

   To put a protective top layer on a wall or other structure.

   Like putting a lid on a jar to keep water out.

   The masons coped the wall to keep rain out.

   Workers cope each parapet before winter sets in.

   Similarcap, top

7. 7
   cut a jointverbtransitive

   To cut the end of a piece of wood so it fits tightly against the shape of another piece.

   Like cutting two pieces of paper so their edges line up exactly.

   He learned to cope the trim so the corners matched.

   She coped each board before nailing it in place.

   Note
8. 8
   verbrareintransitive

   To bend or curve into an arched shape.

   Similararch, bow, bend, curve

   Oppositestraighten

   Note
9. 9
   verbobsolete

   To meet or deal with someone, especially an opponent.

   I love to cope him in these sullen fits.

   c. 1598, William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”Here, cope means meet or deal with him face to face.

   Host coped with host, dire was the din of war.

   1708, John Philips, CyderHere, coped means met and fought, one army against another.

   Note
10. 10
    verbobsoletefiguratively

    To stop someone from speaking and keep them quiet.

    Note
11. 11
    verbobsolete

    To buy something, or to bargain for it.

    Note
12. 12
    verbobsolete

    To trade one thing for another.

    [The Patron] Will cope with thee in reasonable wise; That if the living yerely doo arise To fortie pound, that then his yongest sonne Shall twentie have, and twentie thou hast wonne.

    1591, “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie.Here, cope means trade or bargain, making a fair exchange.

    Note
13. 13
    verbobsolete

    To pay someone back, or to return a favor.

    Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew, / We freely cope your courteous pains withal.

    c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”Here, cope means repay or reward the kind efforts.

    Note
14. 14
    verbobsolete

    To close a hunting ferret's mouth with thread or string so it cannot bite the rabbits.

    His nimble ferrets must now become pioners for their master who coupes them, lest they should grow too fat to endure labour.

    1631, Richard Brathwaite, WhimziesHere, coupes means ties or sews shut the ferrets' mouths.

    The use of this word is confined to warreners, who are said to 'cope' their ferrets, when they sew or tie up their mouths, to prevent them from biting rabbits, when they are used to drive them from their holes.

    1825, Robert Forby, The Vocabulary of East-Anglia

    Note
15. 15
    nounarchaic

    Something that covers or spreads over something else, like a canopy or the sky.
16. 16
    noun

    The upper half of a sand mold used to shape melted metal.
17. 17
    verb

    To trim a bird's beak or claws when they grow too long.
18. 18
    noun

    An old payment owed to the local lord from lead dug out of mines in Derbyshire, England.