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Webster 1913 Edition

Copy

Cop′y

(kŏp′y̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Copies
(-ĭz)
.
[F.
copie
, fr. L.
copia
abundance, number, LL. also, a transcript;
co-
+ the root of
opes
riches. See
Opulent
, and cf.
Copious
.]
1.
An abundance or plenty of anything.
[Obs.]
She was blessed with no more
copy
of wit, but to serve his humor thus.
B. Jonson.
2.
An imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work;
as, a
copy
of a letter, an engraving, a painting, or a statue
.
I have not the vanity to think my
copy
equal to the original.
Denham.
3.
An individual book, or a single set of books containing the works of an author;
as, a
copy
of the Bible; a
copy
of the works of Addison
.
4.
That which is to be imitated, transcribed, or reproduced; a pattern, model, or example;
as, his virtues are an excellent
copy
for imitation
.
Let him first learn to write, after a
copy
, all the letters.
Holder.
5.
(print.)
Manuscript or printed matter to be set up in type;
as, the printers are calling for more
copy
.
6.
A writing paper of a particular size. Same as
Bastard
. See under
Paper
.
7.
Copyhold; tenure; lease.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Syn. – Imitation; transcript; duplicate; counterfeit.

Cop′y

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Copied
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Copying
.]
[Cf. F.
copir
, fr. LL.
copiare
. See
Copy
,
Noun.
]
1.
To make a copy or copies of; to write; print, engrave, or paint after an original; to duplicate; to reproduce; to transcribe;
as, to
copy
a manuscript, inscription, design, painting, etc.
; – often with out, sometimes with off.
I like the work well; ere it be demanded
(As like enough it will), I’d have it
copied
.
Shakespeare
Let this be
copied
out,
And keep it safe for our remembrance.
Shakespeare
2.
To imitate; to attempt to resemble, as in manners or course of life.
We
copy
instinctively the voices of our companions, their accents, and their modes of pronunciation.
Stewart.

Cop′y

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To make a copy or copies; to imitate.
2.
To yield a duplicate or transcript;
as, the letter did not
copy
well
.
Some . . . never fail, when they
copy
, to follow the bad as well as the good things.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition

Copy

COPY

,
Noun.
[See Cope and Cuff.] Literally, a likeness, or resemblance of any kind. Hence,
1.
A writing like another writing; a transcript from an original; or a book printed according to the original; hence, any single book , or set of books, containing a composition resembling the original work; as the copy of a deed, or of a bond; a copy of Addisons works; a copy of the laws; a copy of the scriptures.
2.
The form of a picture or statue according to the original; the imitation or likeness of any figure, draught, or almost any object.
3.
An original work; the autograph; the archetype. Hence, that which is to be imitated in writing or printing. Let the child write according to the copy. The copy is in the hands of the printer. Hence, a pattern or example for imitation. His virtues are an excellent copy for imitation.
4.
Abundance. [L.]

COPY

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To write, print or engrave, according to an original; to form a like work or composition by writing, printing or engraving; to transcribe; often followed by out, but the use is not elegant.
The men of Hezekiah copied certain proverbs of Solomon.
2.
To paint or draw according to an original.
3.
To form according to a model, as in architecture.
4.
To imitate or attempt to resemble; to follow an original or pattern, in manners or course of life. Copy the Savior in his humility and obedience.

COPY

,
Verb.
I.
To imitate or endeavor to be like; to do any thing in imitation of something else. A painter copies from the life. An obedient child copies after his parent.
They never fail, when they copy, to follow the bad as well as the good.

Definition 2024

copy

copy

See also: copy.

English

Alternative forms

Noun

copy ‎(plural copies)

  1. The result of copying; an identical duplicate of an original.
    Please bring me the copies of those reports.
    • Denham
      I have not the vanity to think my copy equal to the original.
  2. An imitation, sometimes of inferior quality.
    That handbag is a copy. You can tell because the buckle is different.
  3. (journalism) The text that is to be typeset.
  4. (journalism) A gender-neutral abbreviation for copy boy
  5. (marketing) The output of copywriters, who are employed to write material which encourages consumers to buy goods or services.
  6. (uncountable) The text of newspaper articles.
    Submit all copy to the appropriate editor.
  7. A school work pad.
    Tim got in trouble for forgetting his maths copy.
  8. A printed edition of a book or magazine.
    Have you seen the latest copy of "Newsweek" yet?
    The library has several copies of the Bible.
  9. Writing paper of a particular size, called also bastard.
  10. (obsolete) That which is to be imitated, transcribed, or reproduced; a pattern, model, or example.
    His virtues are an excellent copy for imitation.
    • Holder
      Let him first learn to write, after a copy, all the letters.
  11. (obsolete) An abundance or plenty of anything.
    • Ben Jonson
      She was blessed with no more copy of wit, but to serve his humour thus.
  12. (obsolete) copyhold; tenure; lease
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
  13. (genetics) The result of gene or chromosomal duplication.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

journalism: text that is to be typeset
  • Bulgarian: материал за набиране ‎(material za nabirane)
  • Dutch: kopij (nl) f
  • Finnish: raakateksti
text of a newspaper article

Verb

copy ‎(third-person singular simple present copies, present participle copying, simple past and past participle copied)

  1. (transitive) To produce an object identical to a given object.
    Please copy these reports for me.‎
    • 2014 June 21, “Magician’s brain”, in The Economist, volume 411, number 8892:
      [Isaac Newton] was obsessed with alchemy. He spent hours copying alchemical recipes and trying to replicate them in his laboratory. He believed that the Bible contained numerological codes. The truth is that Newton was very much a product of his time.
  2. (transitive, computing) To place a copy of an object in memory for later use.
    First copy the files, and then paste them in another directory.‎
  3. (transitive) To imitate.
    Don't copy my dance moves.‎
    Mom, he's copying me!‎
    • Dugald Stewart (1753–1828)
      We copy instinctively the voices of our companions, their accents, and their modes of pronunciation.
  4. (transitive, radio) To receive a transmission successfully.
    Do you copy?‎

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:imitate

Derived terms

Translations

Related terms

Statistics

Most common English words before 1923: laws · run · position · #541: copy · opened · purpose · fall

Finnish

Etymology

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkopy/
  • Hyphenation: co‧py

Noun

copy

  1. A copywriter.
  2. A copy (output of copywriter).

Declension

Inflection of copy (Kotus type 1/valo, no gradation)
nominative copy copyt
genitive copyn copyjen
partitive copya copyja
illative copyyn copyihin
singular plural
nominative copy copyt
accusative nom. copy copyt
gen. copyn
genitive copyn copyjen
partitive copya copyja
inessive copyssa copyissa
elative copysta copyista
illative copyyn copyihin
adessive copylla copyilla
ablative copylta copyilta
allative copylle copyille
essive copyna copyina
translative copyksi copyiksi
instructive — copyin
abessive copytta copyitta
comitative — copyineen

Etymology

From Middle English copy, copie, from Old French copie ‎(“abundance, plenty; transcript, copy”), from Medieval Latin copia ‎(“reproduction, transcript”), from Latin cōpia ‎(“plenty, abundance”), from *coopia, from co- ‎(“together”) + ops ‎(“wealth, riches”). More at opulent.

Pronunciation

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