cop
cop Lexical Profile
cop Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An informal term for a police officer.
"The local cop directed traffic safely around the construction site during the morning rush hour."
A conical or cylindrical roll of thread or yarn wound onto a spindle in a textile spinning machine.
"The weaver carefully loaded a fresh cop of cotton yarn onto the shuttle before restarting the loom."
• verb
To catch, arrest, or apprehend someone in the commission of a fault or crime (informal).
"He was copped for speeding on the motorway late last night."
To obtain, acquire, or take something, especially hastily or illicitly (informal).
"He managed to cop two front-row tickets to the sold-out concert."
To receive, incur, or suffer something unwelcome, such as blame, punishment, or a blow (informal).
"The manager copped a lot of criticism from supporters after the team's disappointing defeat."
North American To admit to a fault or confess to a lesser charge, especially in the phrase 'cop a plea' or 'cop to' (informal).
"The suspect decided to cop a plea in exchange for a reduced sentence."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although originally slang, 'cop' as a noun for a police officer is now standard informal English; however, it remains inappropriate in formal legal or official contexts.
• Rhymes for cop
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb 'cop' (meaning 'to seize or catch') entered English in the early 18th century via northern British dialect, likely from Middle French 'caper' and ultimately Latin 'capere' ('to take'). The noun sense of a police officer arose in the mid-19th century as a shortening of 'copper' (literally 'one who captures' criminals), rather than from the popular folk etymology acronym 'Constable on Patrol'.