copy

plural copies · alternative coppy · alternative coppie · alternative copie

1. 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.

   3 more examples

   His new book is out. I have a signed copy. He'll send you a copy if you want one. He's giving free copies to his former colleagues who want one. The press run is 3000 copies, and he hopes to sell more press runs after this one.

   I already saw their draft. She emailed me a copy yesterday. I can forward it to you so that you have your own copy.

   I have not the vanity to think my copy equal to the original.

   1656, John Denham, preface to The Destruction of Troy

   1. biologyThe 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.

2. An imitation, sometimes of inferior quality.

   That handbag is a copy. You can tell because the buckle is different.

3. journalismThe 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.

   1. advertisingThe output of copywriters, who are employed to write material which encourages consumers to buy goods or services.

      ad copy; advertising copy

      1 more example

      Has your ad copy plenty of punch?

      1930, “Instructions in Sound”, in Moving Picture Review & Theatre Management, volume 25, Exhibitors Trade Review Publishing, page 40

   2. uncountablejournalismThe text to be set into newspaper articles, magazine pages, or similar.

      Submit all copy to the appropriate editor.

4. journalismA person employed to carry copy and run errands.
5. A schoolwork pad or workbook.

   Tim got in trouble for forgetting his maths copy.

6. A particular instance of a book: a single printed impression or digital file representing it.

   Our town's public library has several copies of the Bible, in each of several editions.

   1 more example

   Our town's public library has several copies of the second edition of Smith's textbook, but it doesn't yet have any copies of any newer edition.

7. A particular instance of an issue of a periodical (e.g., magazine, journal, bulletin): a single printed impression or digital file representing that issue; (metonymic) the issue.

   Have you seen the latest copy of Newsweek yet?

8. archaicWriting paper of a particular size: Synonym of bastard.
9. obsoleteThat which is to be imitated, transcribed, or reproduced; a pattern, model, or example.

   His virtues are an excellent copy for imitation.

   1 more example

   Let him first learn to write, after a copy of all the letters.

   1669, William Holder, Elements of Speech: An Essay of Inquiry into the Natural Production of Letters: […], London: […] T. N[ewcomb] for J[ohn] Martyn printer to the R[oyal] Society, […], →OCLC

10. obsoleteAn abundance or plenty of anything.

    [S]he was bleſt with no more Copie of wit, but to ſerue his Humor thus.

    1599 (first performance), B. I. [i.e., Ben Jonson], The Comicall Satyre of Euery Man out of His Humor. […], London: […] [Adam Islip] for William Holme, […], published 1600, →OCLC, Act II, scene i, signature F, verso

11. obsoletecopyhold; tenure; lease.

    But in them nature's copy's not eterne

    c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]

present singular third person copies · participle present copying · participle past copied · past copied · alternative coppy · alternative coppie · alternative copie

1. transitiveTo produce an object identical to a given object.

   Don't copy that floppy!

   2 more examples

   Please copy these reports for me.

   [Isaac Newton] was obsessed with alchemy. He spent hours copying alchemical recipes and trying to replicate them in his laboratory. He believed that the Bible contained numerological codes. The truth is that Newton was very much a product of his time.

   2014 June 21, “Magician’s brain”, in The Economist, volume 411, number 8892

2. transitiveTo give or transmit a copy to (a person).

   All heads of departments have been copied.

   1 more example

   Make sure you copy me on that important memo.

3. transitivecomputingTo place a copy of an object in memory for later use.

   First copy the files, and then paste them in another directory.

4. transitiveTo imitate.

   Mom, he's copying me!

   2 more examples

   Don't copy my dance moves.

   We copy instinctively the voices of our companions, their accents, and their modes of pronunciation.

   1793, Dugald Stewart, Outlines of Moral Philosophy

5. broadcastingTo receive a transmission successfully.

   Do you copy?

alternative coppy · alternative coppie · alternative copie

1. broadcastingUsed to acknowledge that a message has been received and understood.

   Synonyms: copy that, roger, roger that