Cope (kōp), n. [A doublet of
cape. See Cape, Cap.] 1.
A covering for the head. [Obs.] Johnson.
2. Anything regarded as extended over the
head, as the arch or concave of the sky, the roof of a house, the
arch over a door. "The starry cope of heaven."
Milton.
3. An ecclesiastical vestment or cloak,
semicircular in form, reaching from the shoulders nearly to the
feet, and open in front except at the top, where it is united by
a band or clasp. It is worn in processions and on some other
occasions. Piers plowman.
A hundred and sixty priests all in their
copes.
Bp. Burnet.
4. An ancient tribute due to the lord of
the soil, out of the lead mines in Derbyshire, England.
5. (Founding) The top part of a
flask or mold; the outer part of a loam mold. Knight.
De Colange.
Cope, v. i. To form a cope or
arch; to bend or arch; to bow. [Obs.]
Some bending down and coping toward the
earth.
Holland.
Cope, v. t. (Falconry)
To pare the beak or talons of (a hawk). J. H.
Walsh.
Cope, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Coped (kōpt); p. pr. & vb.
n. Coping.] [OE. copen, coupen, to
buy, bargain, prob. from D. koopen to buy, orig., to
bargain. See Cheap.] 1. To exchange
or barter. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. To encounter; to meet; to have to do
with.
Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man
As e'er my conversation coped withal.
Shak.
3. To enter into or maintain a hostile
contest; to struggle; to combat; especially, to strive or contend
on equal terms or with success; to match; to equal; -- usually
followed by with.
Host coped with host, dire was the din of
war.
Philips.
Their generals have not been able to cope
with the troops of Athens.
Addison.
Cope, v. t. 1.
To bargain for; to buy. [Obs.]
2. To make return for; to requite; to
repay. [Obs.]
three thousand ducats due unto the Jew,
We freely cope your courteous pains withal.
Shak.
3. To match one's self against; to meet;
to encounter.
I love to cope him in these sullen
fits.
Shak.
They say he yesterday coped Hector in the
battle, and struck him down.
Shak.