Obs. [Derivation and proper form unknown.] (See quots.)
In quot. 1577 cops is app. the plural of this word; but this is uncertain, as it translates a Latin singular temonem.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., I. 26/2. They [Britons] would run up and downe verie nimblie upon the Cops, and stand upon the beame [Cæsar per temonem percurrere et in iugo instare], and convey themselves quickly again into the charet.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. viii. 335. The Waine Cop, is the long peece that cometh out from the Cart body to which the Oxen are fastned.
1704. Worlidge, Dict. Rust., s.v. Cart, 2. The Wain Cope, that part which the hinder Oxen are yoaked unto to draw the Wain…. 16. The Cope Sale and Pin, are Irons that fasten the Chain with other Oxen thereat, to the end of the Cope. Hence 1727 in Bradley, Fam. Dict., 1730–6 Bailey, fol. 1823 Univ. Techn. Dict., etc., etc., s.v. Cope-sale.
1847. Halliwell, Cop, the beam that is placed between a pair of drawing oxen. [No source or locality given.]
