to join (two molded wooden members) by undercutting the end of one of them to the profile of the other so that the joint produced resembles a miter joint (usually fol. by in or together).
b.
to form (a joint between such members) in this way.
c.
to undercut the end of (a molded wooden member) in order to form a coped joint.
d.
to cut away (a flange of a metal member) so that it may be joined to another member at an angle.
2.
Falconry. to clip or dull (the beak or talons of a hawk).
c.1350, from O.Fr. couper, earlier colper "hit, punch," from colp "a blow" (see coup). Meaning of "come to blows with" evolved 17c. into "handle successfully," perhaps influenced by obs. cope "to traffic" (15c.-17c.), a word in North Sea trade, from the Flem. version of the Gmc. source of Eng. cheap (q.v.).
[kohp] 
