Cuprum
/ˈkuː.prum/noun
The Latin name for copper; the source of the modern chemical symbol Cu.
Did you know?Latin cuprum comes from aes Cyprium, literally “metal of Cyprus,” because Cyprus was a major source of copper in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κύπριος (Kýprios)
“of Cyprus”
Classical Latin
Latin
aes Cyprium
“Cypriot metal; copper”
Late Latin
Latin
cuprum
“copper”
Old French
French
copre / cuivre
“copper”
Modern English
English
copper
“the reddish metal and its alloys”