| Copper | n. [ 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. &unr_; of Cyprus (Gr. &unr_;), 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. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A coin made of copper; a penny, cent, or other minor coin of copper. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ] My friends filled my pockets with coppers. Franklin. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A vessel, especially a large boiler, made of copper. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. pl. Specifically (Naut.), the boilers in the galley for cooking; as, a ship's coppers. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ Copper is often used adjectively, commonly in the sense of made or consisting of copper, or resembling copper; as, a copper boiler, tube, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] All in a hot and copper sky. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ] It is sometimes written in combination; as, copperplate, coppersmith, copper-colored. [ 1913 Webster ]
Copper finch. (Zool.) See Chaffinch. --
Copper glance, or
Vitreous copper. (Min.) See Chalcocite. --
Indigo copper. (Min.) See Covelline. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Copperas | n. [ OE. coperose, F. couperose, fr. (assumed?) L. cuprirosa, equiv. to G. cha`lkanqos, i. e. copper flower, vitriol. See Copper and Rose. ] Green vitriol, or sulphate of iron; a green crystalline substance, of an astringent taste, used in making ink, in dyeing black, as a tonic in medicine, etc. It is made on a large scale by the oxidation of iron pyrites. Called also ferrous sulphate. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The term copperas was formerly synonymous with vitriol, and included the green, blue, and white vitriols, or the sulphates of iron, copper, and zinc. [ 1913 Webster ] |
