a. [ Abbrev. from L. Aegyptius an Egyptian, Gr. &unr_;, Ar. kibtī, pl. kibt. ] Of or pertaining to the Copts. -- n. The language of the Copts. [ 1913 Webster ]

. The native church of Egypt or church of Alexandria, which in general organization and doctrines resembles the Roman Catholic Church, except that it holds to the Monophysitic doctrine which was condemned (a. d. 451) by the council of Chalcedon, and allows its priests to marry. The “pope and patriarch” has jurisdiction over the Abyssinian Church. Since the 7th century the Coptic Church has been so isolated from modifying influences that in many respects it is the most ancient monument of primitive Christian rites and ceremonies. But centuries of subjection to Moslem rule have weakened and degraded it. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. small genus of low perennial herbs having yellow rhizomes and white or yellow flowers.
Syn. -- genus Coptis. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. pl.; sing. Copt [ See Coptic. ] (Etnol.) 1. An Egyptian race thought to be descendants of the ancient Egyptians. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The principal sect of Christians in Egypt and the valley of the Nile. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ they belong to the Jacobite sect of Monophysite Christians, and for eleven centuries have had possession of the patriarchal chair of Alexandria. [ 1913 Webster ]