Copse
/kɒps/noun
A small group of trees or a thicket.
Did you know?“Copse” is tied to the same root as “coppice,” from Old French and Late Latin *colpus/colpus?* No—its real history runs through Old French *copeiz*/*coupis* and Middle English *copse*, referring to woodland managed by cutting so it would regrow.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
colpus
“a blow or strike”
Old French
OF
copeiz / coupis
“a cut-off piece; a thicket of cut-down woodland”
Middle English
ME
copse
“a small wood or thicket”
Modern English
English
copse
“a small group of trees or a thicket”