copy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
    transcript.
  2. noun a thing made to be similar or identical to another thing
    • she made a copy of the designer dress
    • the clone was a copy of its ancestor
  3. noun matter to be printed; exclusive of graphical materials
    written matter.
  4. noun material suitable for a journalistic account
    • catastrophes make good copy
  5. verb copy down as is
    • The students were made to copy the alphabet over and over
  6. verb reproduce someone's behavior or looks
    imitate; simulate.
    • The mime imitated the passers-by
    • Children often copy their parents or older siblings
  7. verb reproduce or make an exact copy of
    replicate.
    • replicate the cell
    • copy the genetic information
  8. verb make a replica of
    re-create.
    • copy that drawing
    • re-create a picture by Rembrandt

WordNet

Cop"y noun
Etymology
F. copie, fr. L. copia abundance, number, LL. also, a transcript; co- + the root of opes riches. See Opulent, and cf. Copious.
Wordforms
plural Copies
Definitions
  1. An abundance or plenty of anything. Obs.
    She was blessed with no more copy of wit, but to serve his humor thus. B. Jonson.
  2. An imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work; as, a copy of a letter, an engraving, a painting, or a statue.
    I have not the vanity to think my copy equal to the original. Denham.
  3. An individual book, or a single set of books containing the works of an author; as, a copy of the Bible; a copy of the works of Addison.
  4. That which is to be imitated, transcribed, or reproduced; a pattern, model, or example; as, his virtues are an excellent copy for imitation.
    Let him first learn to write, after a copy, all the letters. Holder.
  5. (print.) Manuscript or printed matter to be set up in type; as, the printers are calling for more copy.
  6. A writing paper f a particular size. Same as Bastard. See under Paper.
  7. Copyhold; tenure; lease. Obs. Shak. Abbot. Syn. -- Imitation; transcript; duplicate; counterfeit.
Cop"y transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. copir, fr. LL. copiare. See Copy, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Copied ; present participle & verbal noun Copying
Definitions
  1. 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.
    Let this be copied out, And keep it safe for our remembrance. Shak.
  2. To imitate; to attempt to resemble, as in manners or course of life.
    We copy instinctively the voices of our companions, their accents, and their modes of pronunciation. Stewart.
Cop"y intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a copy or copies; to imitate.
  2. To yield a duplicate or transcript; as, the letter did not copy well.
    Some . . . never fail, when they copy, to follow the bad as well as the good things. Dryden.

Webster 1913