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Webster 1913 Edition

Copper

Cop′per

,
Noun.
[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. [GREEK] of Cyprus (Gr. [GREEK]), 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.
☞ 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
.
☞ 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
.
(Zool.)
See
Chaffinch
.
–
Copper glance
, or
Vitreous copper
.
(Min.)
See
Chalcocite
.
–
Indigo copper
.
(Min.)
See
Covelline
.

Cop′per

,
Verb.
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
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Copper

COPPER

,
Noun.
[L., G., supposed to be so called from Cyprus, an isle in the Mediterranean. This opinion is probable, as the Greeks called it Cyprian brass, brass of Cyprus. In this case copper was originally an adjective.] A metal, of a pale red color, tinged with yellow. Next to gold, silver and platina, it is the most ductile and malleable of the metals, and it is more elastic than any metal, except steel, and the most sonorous of all the metals. It is found native in lamins or fibers, in a gangue almost always quartzous; it is also found crystalized, and in grains or superficial lamins on stones or iron. It is not altered by water, but is tarnished by exposure to the air, and is at last covered with a green carbonated oxyd. Copper in sheets is much used for covering the bottoms of ships, for boilers and other utensils; mixed with tin and zink, it is used in enamel-painting, dyeing, &c. : mixed with tin, it forms bell-metal; with a smaller proportion, bronze; and with zink, it forms brass, pinchbeck, &c. When taken into the body ti operates as a violent emetic, and all its preparations are violent poisons.

COPPER

,
Adj.
Consisting of copper.

COPPER

,
Noun.
1.
A vessel made of copper, particularly a large boiler.
2 Formerly, a small copper coin.
My friend filled my pocket with coppers.

COPPER

,
Verb.
T.
To cover or sheathe with sheets of copper; as, to copper a ship.

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