cope

¹

[ kohp ]

verb (used without object)

, coped, cop·ing.

1. to struggle or deal, especially on fairly even terms or with some degree of success (usually followed by with ):

   The new heating and cooling system can cope with extremes of temperature much better than the old one.

   Synonyms: persevere, strive, wrestle

2. to face and deal with responsibilities, problems, or difficulties, especially successfully or in a calm or adequate manner:

   After his breakdown he couldn't cope any longer.

3. Archaic. to come into contact; meet (usually followed by with ).

verb (used with object)

, coped, cop·ing.

1. British Informal. to cope with.
2. Obsolete. to come into contact with; encounter.

cope

²

[ kohp ]

noun

1. a long mantle, especially of silk, worn by ecclesiastics over the alb or surplice in processions and on other occasions.
2. any cloaklike or canopylike covering.
3. the sky.
4. a coping on a wall.
5. Metallurgy. the upper half of a flask. Compare drag ( def 35 ).

verb (used with object)

, coped, cop·ing.

1. to furnish with or as if with a cope or coping.

cope

³

[ kohp ]

verb (used with object)

, coped, cop·ing.

1. Building Trades.
   1. 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 followed by in or together ).
   2. to form (a joint between such members) in this way.
   3. to undercut the end of (a molded wooden member) in order to form a coped joint.
   4. 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).

cope

⁴

[ kohp ]

verb (used with object)

, British.

, coped, cop·ing.

1. to barter; trade; exchange.

cope

¹

/ kəʊp /

noun

1. a large ceremonial cloak worn at solemn liturgical functions by priests of certain Christian sects
2. any covering shaped like a cope

verb

1. tr to dress (someone) in a cope

COPE

²

/ kəʊp /

acronym for

1. Congress of the People: a political party founded in 2008 by dissident members of the ANC

cope

³

/ kəʊp /

verb

1. to provide (a wall) with a coping
2. to join (two moulded timber members)

noun

1. See coping
   another name for coping

cope

⁴

/ kəʊp /

verb

1. intrfoll bywith to contend (against)
2. intr to deal successfully with or handle a situation; manage

   she coped well with the problem

3. archaic.
   tr
   1. to deal with
   2. to meet in battle

Other Words From

• copeless adjective
• copeless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cope¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English coupen, from Anglo-French, Old French couper “to strike,” derivative of coup “a blow”; coup ¹

Origin of cope²

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Medieval Latin cāpa, variant of cappa “hooded cloak”; cap ¹

Origin of cope³

First recorded in 1565–75; from French couper “to cut”; cope ¹

Origin of cope⁴

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English copen, from Low German; compare Middle Dutch côpen “to buy”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cope¹

Old English cāp, from Medieval Latin cāpa, from Late Latin cappa hooded cloak; see cap

Origin of cope²

C17: probably from French couper to cut; see cope ¹

Origin of cope³

C14: from Old French coper to strike, cut, from coup blow; see coup ¹

Example Sentences

Plans are already underway to hire another 26 over the coming weeks to cope with the volume of work.

From Digiday

“The Love Proof,” by Madeleine Henry A pair of Yalies fall in love until one of them — physics prodigy Sophie — is forced to cope with the unexpected.

From Washington Post

You’ve talked about the need to find positives in the frontline experience in order to cope.

From Time

To cope, Outside staffers have been alternating between physical activities in the cold and cozying up at home.

From Outside Online

He knew what had been going on and really just wanted to find out he we all were coping with that.

From Washington Post

Stephanie Giorgio, a classical musician, credits The Class for helping her cope with anxiety, focus, fear, and self-doubt.

From The Daily Beast

Fulkerson, the founder of the magazine who has hired March, is someone he can cope with.

From The Daily Beast

Eric told me about a case with which a fellow lobbyist had to cope.

From The Daily Beast

Child workers, even when they are brought back into the classroom, are unable to cope without proper bridge courses.

From The Daily Beast

In an effort to cope with the implications of this question, Americans have subtly but sweepingly shifted their ideals.

From The Daily Beast

And when ordinary fellows like you and me attempt to cope with their idiosyncrasies the result is bungling.

From Project Gutenberg

Constabulary was insufficient to cope with the marauders, and regular troops had to be sent to these provinces.

From Project Gutenberg

Louis the Lusty fled before an insurrection that he did not think himself equal to cope with.

From Project Gutenberg

Chivey was not soft, but he was not competent to cope with such a keen spirit as this Spanish notary.

From Project Gutenberg

Yamba acted as cook and waitress, but after a time the work was more than she could cope with unaided.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confront
• endure
• get by
• grapple
• handle
• suffer
• survive
• wrestle