copy

[ kop-ee ]

noun

, plural cop·ies,

1. an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original:

   a copy of a famous painting.

   Synonyms: facsimile, carbon, duplicate

2. one of the various examples or specimens of the same book, engraving, or the like.
3. written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form:

   The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer.

4. the text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual material.
5. the newsworthiness of a person, thing, or event (often preceded by good or bad ): Compare news ( def 4 ).

   The president is always good copy.

6. Computers. an exact duplicate of a file, program, etc.:

   Keep a backup copy of the document.

7. Genetics. replication ( def 7 ).
8. Printing. pictures and artwork prepared for reproduction.
9. British Informal. (in schools) a composition; a written assignment.
10. British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 16 × 20 inches (40 × 50 centimeters).
11. Archaic. something that is to be reproduced; an example or pattern, as of penmanship to be copied by a pupil.

verb (used with object)

, cop·ied, cop·y·ing.

1. to make a copy of; transcribe; reproduce:

   to copy a set of figures from a book.

2. to receive and understand (a radio message or its sender).
3. to follow as a pattern or model; imitate.

   Antonyms: originate

4. Computers. to make an exact duplicate of (a file, selected text, etc.) and store in another location or in temporary memory: Compare cut ( def 25 ), paste ( def 13 ).

   Can I copy the program to another computer? Copy the selected paragraph to the clipboard.

verb (used without object)

, cop·ied, cop·y·ing.

1. to make a copy or copies.
2. to undergo copying:

   It copied poorly.

   I can't install the program—one file won't copy.

3. to hear or receive a radio message, as over a CB radio:

   Do you copy?

4. Also Newfoundland. to leap from one ice pan to another across open water.

copy

/ ˈkɒpɪ /

noun

1. an imitation or reproduction of an original
2. a single specimen of something that occurs in a multiple edition, such as a book, article, etc
3. 1. matter to be reproduced in print
   2. written matter or text as distinct from graphic material in books, newspapers, etc
4. the words used to present a promotional message in an advertisement
5. informal.
   journalism suitable material for an article or story

   disasters are always good copy

6. archaic.
   a model to be copied, esp an example of penmanship

verb

1. whentr, often foll by out to make a copy or reproduction of (an original)
2. tr to imitate as a model
3. intr to imitate unfairly

Other Words From

• pre·cop·y noun plural precopies verb (used with object) precopied precopying
• re·cop·y verb (used with object) recopied recopying
• un·cop·ied adjective
• well-cop·ied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of copy¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English copie (from Anglo-French ) from Medieval Latin cōpia “abundance, something copied,” Latin: “wealth, abundance”; copious; copy ( def 18 ) originally a children's game, from the phrase copy the leader

Word History and Origins

Origin of copy¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cōpia an imitation, something copied, from Latin: abundance, riches; see copious

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. copy the mail, Citizens Band Radio Slang. mail ¹( def 11 ).

Synonym Study

See imitate.

Example Sentences

Transcription initiation sites are locations in the DNA where a specialized transcription-factor protein can attach and then build an mRNA copy of the gene in front of it.

From Science Daily

Mr. Frommer’s call to travel touched a chord — the first 5,000 copies of his 120-page book, which he published himself, sold out almost overnight — and it did so at a fortuitous moment.

From New York Times

Unlike Sweden and Norway, the Helsinki government has decided not to print a copy for every home as it “would cost millions” and a digital version could be updated more easily.

From BBC

When a cell requires a protein, it generates a copy of the relevant instructions in the cell nucleus.

From Science Daily

After ripping up a copy of the bill in front of Seymour, Māori members who opposed the bill and some spectators in the gallery joined in the ceremonial dance.

From Salon

Related Words

• imitate
• paint
• photocopy
• plagiarize
• repeat
• replicate
• reproduce
• rewrite
• simulate
• transcribe