copying

Pluralcopyings (some meanings)

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle and gerund of copy.

   The intern spent the whole morning copying files onto the new server.

   Copying the same chart by hand took her the entire afternoon.

   Note

   Every use of the verb runs through this form: duplicating a file, passing a copy to a colleague, imitating a rival, even receiving a transmission clearly. As a gerund it keeps the verb's direct object (copying files, copying a rival's style). Once it takes of or a plural ending, it has crossed over into the countable noun or the general practice.

2. 2
   noununcountable

   The practice of making one or more copies of something.

   Modern copying lets a single document be reproduced thousands of times.

   Digital copying made distributing the report across offices effortless.

   Similarduplication, reproduction, replication

3. 3
   nouncountable

   An individual instance of making a copy of something.

   A single copying of the ledger preserved all the original figures.

   Several copyings of the contract were stored in different filing rooms.

   Similartranscription, duplication, reproduction

   Note

   Here the word can be counted, so it takes an article or a number and forms a plural, copyings. What was copied follows of (a copying of the ledger) rather than standing as a direct object, which is how to tell it from the gerund. Drop the article and it slides into the practice in general.

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