copy
UK /ˈkɒpi/ · US /ˈkɑpi/ noun, verb
Forms copies copying copied coppy coppie copie
- noun The result of copying; an identical or nearly identical duplicate of an original. “Please bring me at least 200 copies of this report. The photocopier is down the hall on the right.”
- noun (genetics) The result of gene or chromosomal duplication. “Every cell in this organism contains a copy of each gene, but whether that copy will be expressed depends on complex factors of cell differentiation and epigenetics.”
- noun An imitation, sometimes of inferior quality. “That handbag is a copy. You can tell because the buckle is different.”
- noun (typography, journalism, publishing) The text (words, content) that is to be typeset or similarly prepared and published. “This organization doesn't publish any copy that hasn't been edited by a good copy editor.”
- noun (marketing, advertising) The output of copywriters, who are employed to write material which encourages consumers to buy goods or services. “ad copy; advertising copy”
- noun (uncountable) The text to be set into newspaper articles, magazine pages, or similar. “Submit all copy to the appropriate editor.”
- noun (journalism) A person employed to carry copy and run errands.
- noun A schoolwork pad or workbook. “Tim got in trouble for forgetting his maths copy.”
- verb (transitive) To produce an object identical to a given object. “Please copy these reports for me.”
- verb (transitive) To give or transmit a copy to (a person). “Make sure you copy me on that important memo.”
- verb (transitive, computing) To place a copy of an object in memory for later use. “First copy the files, and then paste them in another directory.”
- verb (transitive) To imitate. “Don't copy my dance moves.”
- verb (radio) To receive a transmission successfully. “Do you copy?”
Synonyms
duplicate facsimile fake forgery image likeness phony reduplication replica replication reproduction sham simulacrum clone replicate reproduce transcript written matter imitate simulate re-create
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English copy, copie, from Old French copie (“abundance, plenty; transcript, copy”), from Medieval Latin copia (“reproduction, transcript”), from Latin cōpia (“plenty, abundance”), from *coopia, from co- (“together”) + ops (“wealth, riches”). More at opulent.
From Middle English copien, from Old French copier and Medieval Latin cōpiō.
Webster’s 1913
- noun An abundance or plenty of anything. [Obs.]
- noun An imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work; as, a copy of a letter, an engraving, a painting, or a statue.
- verb To make a copy or copies of; to write; print, engrave, or paint after an original; to duplicate; to reproduce; to transcribe; as, to copy a manuscript, inscription, design, painting, etc.; --often with out, sometimes with off. I like the work well; ere it be demanded (As like enough it will), I'd have it copied. Shak.
- verb To imitate; to attempt to resemble, as in manners or course of life.
Etymology [F. copie, fr. L. copia abundance, number, LL. also, a transcript; co- + the root of opes riches. See Opulent, and cf. Copious.]
Etymology [Cf. F. copir, fr. LL. copiare. See Copy, n.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “copy”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details