cope
cope Lexical Profile
cope Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To deal effectively with something difficult, stressful, or demanding.
"She learned healthy strategies to cope with the pressures of medical school."
To cut and shape the end of a molded timber or structural piece so that it fits neatly over an adjoining piece.
"The carpenter used a fine saw to cope the crown molding for a tight corner joint."
To cover the top of a wall with a protective layer of stone, brick, or concrete.
"The masons decided to cope the garden wall with flat limestone slabs to prevent water damage."
• noun
A comforting delusion, rationalization, or psychological defense mechanism used to avoid facing a harsh reality or defeat (informal slang).
"Claiming that he never wanted the job anyway was seen by his friends as pure cope."
A long, semicircular liturgical cloak or mantle worn by Christian clergy during processions and ceremonial occasions.
"The bishop wore an embroidered gold cope during the solemn cathedral procession."
The upper half of a flask or mold used in metal casting.
"The foundry workers carefully lifted the cope from the drag to inspect the sand mold."
Word Nuance & Usage
In standard usage, the verb "cope" is intransitive and takes the preposition "with" when followed by an object (e.g., "cope with stress"), though transitive usage without "with" occurs informally in British English.
• Rhymes for cope
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb derives from Middle English copen, from Old French coper ("to strike" or "to come to blows"), ultimately from Late Latin colpus ("a blow"). The noun meaning a liturgical cloak comes separately from Late Latin cappa ("hooded cloak").