i noun
1.
an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original: a copy of a famous painting.
2.
one of the various examples or specimens of the same book, engraving, or the like.
3.
written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form: The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer.
4.
the text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual material.
5.
the newsworthiness of a person, thing, or event (often preceded by good or bad ): The president is always good copy. Compare news ( def 4 ).
6.
Computers. an exact duplicate of a file, program, etc.: Keep a backup copy of the document.
7.
8.
Printing. pictures and artwork prepared for reproduction.
9.
British Informal. (in schools) a composition; a written assignment.
10.
British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 16 × 20 inches (40 × 50 cm).
11.
Archaic. something that is to be reproduced; an example or pattern, as of penmanship to be copied by a pupil.
verb (used with object)
12.
to make a copy of; transcribe; reproduce: to copy a set of figures from a book.
13.
to receive and understand (a radio message or its sender).
14.
to follow as a pattern or model; imitate.
00:10
Copy
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
verb (used without object)
Idioms 16.
to make a copy or copies.
17.
to undergo copying: It copied poorly. I can't install the program—one file won't copy.
18.
to hear or receive a radio message, as over a CB radio: Do you copy?
19.
Also, cocky. Newfoundland. to leap from one ice pan to another across open water.
20.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English copie (< Anglo-French) < Medieval Latin cōpia abundance, something copied, Latin: wealth, abundance; see copious; (def 16) originally a children's game, from the phrase copy the leader
1300–50; Middle English copie (< Anglo-French) < Medieval Latin cōpia abundance, something copied, Latin: wealth, abundance; see copious; (def 16) originally a children's game, from the phrase copy the leader
Related forms
pre·cop·y, noun, plural pre·cop·ies, verb (used with object), pre·cop·ied, pre·cop·y·ing.
re·cop·y, verb (used with object), re·cop·ied, re·cop·y·ing.
un·cop·ied, adjective
well-cop·ied, adjective
Antonyms
14. originate.
14. originate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To copy
Collins
World English Dictionary
copy (ˈkɒpɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl copies | |
| 1. | an imitation or reproduction of an original |
| 2. | a single specimen of something that occurs in a multiple edition, such as a book, article, etc |
| 3. | a. matter to be reproduced in print |
| b. written matter or text as distinct from graphic material in books, newspapers, etc | |
| 4. | the words used to present a promotional message in an advertisement |
| 5. | informal journalism suitable material for an article or story: disasters are always good copy |
| 6. | archaic a model to be copied, esp an example of penmanship |
| —vb (when tr, | |
| 7. | to make a copy or reproduction of (an original) |
| 8. | (tr) to imitate as a model |
| 9. | (intr) to imitate unfairly |
| [C14: from Medieval Latin cōpia an imitation, something copied, from Latin: abundance, riches; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
copy
early 14c., from O.Fr. copie, from M.L. copia "reproduction, transcript," from L. copia "plenty, means" (see copious). Originally "written transcript," sense extended 15c. to any specimen of writing (especially MS for a printer) and any reproduction or imitation. The verb,
in the figurative sense of "to imitate" is attested from 1640s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
If you don't have a computer or a high-quality printer, take your text and paper to a copy shop.
Use a projector to show the map or have students follow along on a copy of their own.
Use your computer printer to print out these instructions and diagrams on copy paper.
Get your own copy of this recently conserved treasure.
Nearby Words
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