[f. COPE v.2 + -ING1.]
† 1. Meeting in the shock of combat; encounter.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 3602. So kenli þei a-cuntred at þe coupyng to-gadere, þat þe kniȝt spere in speldes alto-schiuered.
1494. Fabyan, Chron. (1811), II. 539. Cocborne, was throwen at ye secoude copynge to grounde horse & man.
c. 1534. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden), I. 54. The Brittons used Chariots in there fightes, which … at the first copinge did greatlie greeve and astonishe the armie of their enemies.
1611. Cotgr., Choc … a violent incounter, or coping of armed, and angrie souldiors.
2. Contending in opposition or rivalry.
1678. Hist. Indulgence, in G. Hickes, Spirit of Popery, 74. Never to be out-done … in a copeing with the Mediator, and a downright denial of Him to be King.
