Copper
/ˈkɒp.ər/noun
A reddish-brown metallic chemical element; also, money in coins.
Did you know?The Latin phrase *aes Cyprium* meant “metal of Cyprus,” and over time it was shortened to *cuprum* — the same root behind the chemical symbol Cu.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kup-
“to curve, bend, or be hollow”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Κύπρος (Kýpros)
“Cyprus, the island associated with copper mining”
Classical Latin
Latin
aes Cyprium
“Cyprian metal, metal from Cyprus”
Late Latin
Latin
cuprum
“copper”
Old English
English
coper / coper
“copper”
Modern English
English
copper
“the reddish-brown metal; a coin; a police officer (slang)”