Forms: 4–7 copye, 4–8 copie, (4 kopy, 5 coopy, 6 coopie), 6 coppye, 6–7 coppie, 6–8 coppy, 4– copy. [a. F. copie (13th c. in Littré) = Pr. copia, ad. L. cōpia abundance, plenty, multitude. Branch II, found in med.L. and all the Romanic langs., and from which all the Eng. sense-development starts, appears to have arisen out of such L. phrases as dare vel habere copiam legendi to give, or have, the power of reading, facere copiam describendi to give the power of transcription, to allow a transcript to be made, whence med.L. copia ‘transcript.’]
I. † 1. Plenty, abundance, a copious quantity.
c. 1375. Barbour, Troy-bk., II. 774. Of teres full gret copye.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 301. Spayne … haþ grete copy and plente of castell.
1514. Test. Ebor. (Surtees), V. 58. If there be copie of prestes.
1593. Lodge, Will. Longbeard, Addr. to Rdr. No conceits … but such as have coppy of new coined words.
1607. J. Carpenter, Spir. Plough, 209. All that copie or riches … is nought else but extreame povertie.
1632. B. Jonson, Magn. Lady, II. i. Ple. Which would you choose now, mistress? Pla. ’Cannot tell: The copy does confound one.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Copie, plenty, abundance.
† b. Fullness, plenitude. Obs.
1483. Caxton, Æsop (E.E.T.S.), 295. Requyrynge hym that she might haue the copye of his loue.
a. 1500. Orolog. Sapient., in Anglia, X. 371. In þe copye of grete delytes.
† c. esp. of language: Copiousness, abundance, fullness, richness. Copy of words: = L. copia verborum. Obs.
1531. Elyot, Gov., I. x. Whereby he shall … attaine plentie of the tongues called Copie.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 3. To excell in varietie of sentences, and copie of words.
1598. Florio, World of Words, Ep. Ded. A v a. The copie and varietie of our sweete-mother-toong.
1612. Brinsley, Lud. Lit., 22. The proprietie, puritie and copie of our English tongue. Ibid., 117. To get propriety and copie of words and phrases.
a. 1637. B. Jonson, Eng. Gram., Pref. The Copie of it, and Matchablenesse with other tongues.
† d. ? = CORNUCOPIA. Obs. rare.
1592. R. D., Hypnerotomachia, 46 b. Everie one of them in their right hand did holde a copie full of all kinde of fruites. Ibid., 98 b. In her right hand she held a copie full of rype graine.
II. A transcript or reproduction of an original.
2. A writing transcribed from, and reproducing the contents of, another; a transcript.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 293. The barons … Of þing þat þei wild ask bad him þe copie bere.
1389. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 50. Þat we shuld send ȝou a kopy of our statuȝ.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 352. Copyes were made of the sayd statutes.
1555. Eden, Decades, 171. The coppie of the bull.
1563. Nowell, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 20. The coopie of the Catechism which I caused to be wryten out.
1653. Walton, Angler, 106. The Copy of a Sermon.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., IV. xvi. (1695), 382. Though the attested Copy of a Record be good proof, yet the Copy of a Copy never so well attested … will not be admitted as a proof in Judicature.
1776. Trial of Nundocomar, 45/1. The copy I wrote remained with … Nundocomar; the original remained with Pudmohun Doss.
1875. Scrivener, Lect. Grk. Test., 5. No such perfect similarity between the copy and the original can be depended upon.
3. A picture, or other work of art, reproducing the features of another.
1580. Baret, Alv., C 1267. An example written, or painted out, a copie or patterne.
1719. J. Richardson, Sci. Connoisseur, 150. If any One says That Picture is a Copy I’ll break his Head. Ibid. (1719), Art Crit., 176. Coppies are usually made by Inferiour Hands.
1749. Berkeley, Wks., IV. 319. The third [picture] is a copy, and ill-coloured.
1801. Fuseli, Lect. Art (1848), 348. Our language, or rather those who use it, generally confound, when speaking of the art, ‘copy’ with ‘imitation,’ though essentially different in operation and meaning.
1857. Ruskin, Pol. Econ. Art, ii. 125. Never buy a copy of a picture, under any circumstances whatever. All copies are bad; because no painter who is worth a straw ever will copy.
1879. Lubbock, Sci. Lect., v. 156. Some of the bronze axes appear to be mere copies of the earlier stone ones.
4. fig. a. Something made or formed, or regarded as made or formed, in imitation of something else; a reproduction, image or imitation.
1596. Bp. W. Barlow, Three Serm., Ded. A 4. The practise of these Bishops, and perhaps their copies.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, V. i. 298. My brother hath a daughter, Almost the copie of my childe that’s dead.
1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., IV. v. 334. I see but as it were a Copy or Transcript of the first created nature of Man in the first Individuals.
1739. Hume, Hum. Nat., I. ii. (1874), I. 317. Of this impression there is a copy taken by the mind.
1780. Cowper, Table Talk, 614. A rough copy of the Christian face Without the smile, the sweetness, or the grace.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., xx. 509. Pompey, the Clown, is a copy from the life.
1890. Sir A. Kekewich, in Law Times Rep., LXIII. 764/1. When one finds one drama to a great extent a copy of another.
† b. A specimen, instance, example. Obs.
1641. J. Jackson, True Evang. T., II. 99. A little Child … a faire copy of meekenesse and innocency.
a. 1656. Vines, Lord’s Supp., 209. Was this a copy of his particular zeal?
c. A page or specimen of penmanship written after a model: cf. 8 b.
Mod. You must write a copy every morning to improve your penmanship. The writing of copies as school-impositions.
5. Eng. Law. The transcript of the manorial court-roll, containing entries of the admissions of tenants, according to the custom of the manor, to land held by such tenants in the tenure hence called COPYHOLD.
1463. Bury Wills (1850), 34. I wil and graunte to the seid Jenete Whitwelle my yeeris that I haue be copy in the medwe at Babwelle.
1503–4. Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 37 § 2. Landes Tenementes … Leeses and Fermes as well holden by copye as otherwyse.
1550. Crowley, Inform. & Petit. (1872), 166. At the vacation of his copie or indentur he must paye welmoste as muche as woulde purchayse so much grownde.
1580. Lupton, Sivqila, 142. Whiche, if he perceyve to stand free, then he maye buy it, or take it by coppy or lease.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 60 a. These tenants are called tenants by Copie of Court Rolle, because they haue no other euidence concerning their tenements, but onely the Copies of Court Rolles.
1767. Blackstone, Comm., II. 95.
1885. Sir F. North, in Law Times Rep., LIII. 504/2. The several tenements may be comprised in one copy.
b. A holding by copy, COPYHOLD.
a. 1626. Bp. Andrewes, Serm. (1843), V. 27 (D.). What poor man’s right, what widow’s copy, or what orphan’s legacy would have been safe?
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., VI. i. § 6. Waltham Abbey (for Benedictines …) had its copie altered by King Henry the Second, and bestowed on Augustinians.
fig. 1605. Shaks., Macb., III. ii. 38. Thou know’st, that Banquo and his Fleans liues. Lady. But in them Natures Coppie’s not eterne.
III. Without reference to an original.
6. One of the various (written or printed) specimens of the same writing or work; an individual example of a manuscript or print. (The ordinary word in this sense.)
Originally, the idea of ‘transcript’ or ‘reproduction’ was of course present; but in later use an original edition itself consists of so many ‘copies.’ In fair copy, clean copy of a writing, the idea of ‘transcript’ is distinctly present; but it disappears when the original draft is called the rough or foul copy. The word is much used in bibliography, as in ‘early copy, tall copy, uncut copy, large paper copy, Mr. Grenville’s copy, the British Museum copy,’ etc.
[1477. Caxton, Dictes, 147. I am not in certayn wheder it was in my lordis copye or not.]
1538. Coverdale, N. T., Ded. In many places one copy hath either more or less than another.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 114. So are the woordes set down in three auncient copies.
1625. Abp. Ussher, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 132. Touching the Samaritan Pentateuch, the copye which I have is about three hundred yeares old.
1689. Gazophyl. Angl., Pref. A vj a. Being printed from a foul Copy.
1711. Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), III. 242. 3 Copies of the fourth, and 4 of the Yth Vol. of Leland.
1772. Priestley, Inst. Relig. (1782), II. 292. All our present copies … agree with one another.
1817. trans. Bombet’s Life Haydn & Mozart, 180. His rough copies [of MS. music] are full of different passages.
1850. Dickens, Lett. (1880), I. 224. The acting copy is much altered from the old play.
1872. J. A. H. Murray, Compl. Scot., Pref. 16. Of the book in these circumstances given to the world only four copies are known to have come down to recent times…. Leyden, writing in 1801, says, ‘all four copies were imperfect.’
Mod. Of how many copies does the edition consist?
† b. Formerly sometimes with the force of ‘text,’ ‘version’ or ‘edition.’
[Cf. 1538 in prec.]
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary (1625), A iij b. The copies before this have beene … erroniously many waies delivered.
1830. Bp. Monk, Life Bentley (1833), II. 226. They read him with … more satisfaction in Dr. Bentley’s text than in any other copy.
7. A copy of verses: a set of verses, a short composition in verse: now chiefly applied to such a composition (esp. Greek or Latin verses) as a school or college exercise.
1653. Walton, Angler, 184. I will speak you a Coppie of Verses that were made by Doctor Donne.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 58, ¶ 13. To present his Mistress with a Copy of Verses made in the Shape of her Fan.
1782. Mad. D’Arblay, Lett., 19 March. They have put me again into the newspapers, in a copy of verses made upon literary ladies.
1841. Macaulay, Ess., Comic Dram. (1854), I. 574/1. Wycherley … was present at a battle, and celebrated it, on his return, in a copy of verses too bad for the bellman.
1882. Jebb, Bentley, i. 4. The only relic of Bentley’s undergraduate life is a copy of English verses on the Gunpowder Plot. That stirring theme was long a stock subject for College exercises.
IV. That which is copied.
8. The original writing, work of art, etc., from which a copy is made.
14[?]. Tundale’s Vis., Colophon. Be it trwe or be it fals Hyt is as the coopy was.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., III. xxiv. 193. In whiche translacion … I haue to my power folowed my copye.
1586. W. Webbe, Eng. Poetrie (Arb.), 51. Conferring the translation with the Coppie.
1668. Excellency of Pen & Pencil, A ij b. The Art of Drawing … by Instructions and Copies so easy and intelligible, that [etc.].
1823. Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. xxi. (1865), 164. The devil … working after my copy.
b. spec. A specimen of penmanship to be copied by a pupil.
1583. Hollyband, Campo di Fior, 339. Give vs a copie now if it please you [una mostra da scrivere]. Ibid., 363. Let me giue you an other copie, Which, God willing, you shall write to morow.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. ii. 95. We tooke him setting of boyes Copies.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. xi. 178. There is more required to teach one to write then to see a coppy.
1675. Baxter, Cath. Theol., II. VIII. 182. As if you ask why the Scholar writeth not like his Copy?
1825. Hone, Every-day Bk., I. 488. The first copy I wrote after, with its moral lesson ‘Art improves Nature.’
1891. Illustr. Mag., IX. 285. Edith looked at the copybook. The copies had been set by herself.
† c. fig. Pattern, example. Obs.
1595. Shaks., John, IV. ii. 113. The Copie of your speede is learn’d by them. Ibid. (1601), All’s Well, I. ii. 46. Such a man Might be a copie to these yonger times.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies (1840), III. 164. Doctor Taylor set archbishop Cranmer … a copy of patience.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 53. In preparing of the Flax…. This is the way they do it in Germany, and thou mayest write by their Copy.
1775. Adair, Amer. Ind., 252. Every officer and private man … imitated the intrepid copy of their martial leader.
9. Printing. Manuscript (or printed) matter prepared for printing. (Now always without a and pl.)
Formerly used in a sense nearer to 8: a MS. or other exemplar which is printed from, or serves as ‘copy,’ though not specially prepared for that purpose.
1485. Caxton, Malory, Pref. 3. And I accordyng to my copye haue doon sette it in enprynte.
1563. T. Gale, Certain Wks. Chirurg., To Rdr. Dr. Cunningham who was no small helpe to me in … perusing the copies written [i.e., for the printer].
1590. Nashe, Pasquil’s Apol., I. B. When he carried his coppie to the Presse. Ibid. (1596), Saffron Walden, 59. More Copie, More Copie; we leese a great deale of time for want of Text.
1652. Urquhart, Jewel, Wks. (1834), 181. I usually afforded the setter copy at the rate of above a whole printed sheet in the day.
1676. Ray, Corr. (1848), 123. I have been lately solicited to reprint my Catalogue … and have sent the copy up to London as it is.
1791. Boswell, Johnson, an. 1732. Johnson engaged to supply the press with copy as it should be wanted.
1827. Scott, Two Drovers, Introd. He is neither more nor less than an imp of the devil, come to torment me for copy.
1877. ‘H. A. Page,’ De Quincey, II. xvii. 40. The doom that visited bits of his own copy and proof-sheets.
† b. Property in ‘copy’; = COPYRIGHT. Obs.
In its beginnings, only contextually differing from 9: the registration and licensing of the ‘copy’ or ‘copies’ proposed to be printed, conferred the ‘right.’
1577. Stationers’ Reg., II. lf. 140. jmo Julij Lycensed vnto H. Bynneman theise ij. copies. Ibid. (1580) (Arb. II. 380). 29 Oct., John Harrison. Assigned ouer from Hugh Singleton to haue the sheppardes callender which was Hughe Singletons copie. Ibid. (1589) (II. lf. 251 b). 1 Dec., Master Ponsonby. Entered for his Copye, a booke intytuled the fayrye Queene.
1655. trans. Sorel’s Com. Hist. Francion, V. 3. [Other authors] lived on what was given them for their copies.
1710. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), VI. 549. Securing the property of copies in books to the right owners.
1765. Sterne, Lett., lv. Which will bring me in three hundred pounds, exclusive of the sale of the copy.
1779–81. Johnson, L. P., Addison, Wks. III. 63. Steele … sold the copy for fifty guineas.
V. 10. Name of a particular size of paper.
1712. Act 10 Q. Anne, in Lond. Gaz., No. 5018/3. Paper called … bastard or double Copy.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, III. 497. The smallest size of the fine quality measures 121/2 by 15 inches, and is termed pot; next to that foolscap…; then post…; copy, 20 by 161/2. Of coarse papers may be mentioned … copy loaf, 163/4 by 213/4, 38-lb.
VI. Phrases.
† 11. To change (turn, alter) one’s copy: to change one’s style, tone, behavior, or course of action; to assume another character. Obs.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ccxlix. 369. Thus the knyghtes and squyers turned theyr copies on both partes. Ibid., II. cxiii. [cix.] 327. Chaunge your copye, so that we haue no cause to renewe our yuell wylles agaynste you.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. ii. 4. He will sodeinly turn his copye.
1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 581. Callisthenes changing copy, spake boldly many things against the Macedonians.
1601. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 178. Fortune changing her copie, the affaires of the winner decline.
1605–1640. [see CHANGE v. 9].
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 106. Hee that writeth Dunce on the … Eve of his Doctorship, doth not alter his copy, and go out Scholler next day.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 391. Such as lived orderly … had now turn’d their copy … and were fallen.
† b. Copy of a conference: memorandum or minutes of a conference; also app. the agenda or subject matter; the theme. Obs.
1588. J. Udall, Diotrephes (Arb.), 10. One had conference with a bishop about Subscription, and … gave his friende a copie of his conference.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., V. i. 62. It was the copie of our Conference. In bed he slept not for my vrging it, At boord he fed not for my vrging it.
† c. Copy of one’s countenance: a mere outward show or sign of what one would do or be; hence, pretence. Obs.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 64. They haue … threatned highly, too put water in my woortes, whensoeuer they catche me; I hope it is but a coppy of their countenance, Ad diem fortasse minitantur.
1600. Holland, Livy, VII. xxx. 270. If ye [Romans] but shew a copie of your countenance, as if ye would aid and succour us. Ibid., XXVI. viii. 588. Carried away with every copie of Anniball his countenance [ad nutus Hannibalis], and with vaine threats and menaces.
a. 1663. Abp. Bramhall, Wks. (1842–4), II. 367 (D.). Whatsoever he prateth … it is but a copy of his countenance.
1743. Fielding, J. Wild, III. xiv. (D.). This, as he afterwards confessed on his death-bed … was only a copy of his countenance.
1779. Wesley, Wks. (1872), XI. 493. Many who affirmed this, did not believe themselves … it was merely a copy of their countenance.
B. adj.
† 1. Abundant. (Cf. dial. ‘plenty money,’ etc.)
1546. Richmond. Wills (Surtees), 60. Ther shalbe … fyue masses sade … yf so be that ther be copye companye of prestes suffycyent to celebrate the same.
† 2. = COPYHOLD 3. Obs.
1502. Bury Wills (1850), 94. All my londs … wt all ther apportenents, ffree and copy.
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., 13 b. Bothe charter lande and copye lande.
1538. Bury Wills, 136. The copye close.
1598. T. Bastard, Chrestol. (1880), 88. Copie land, and after a freeholde.
1639. Bury Wills (1850), 174. All those my lands, both copy and free.
C. Comb., as † copy-clerk, a copying clerk, a scribe; copy-head, copy-line, the line of writing placed at the head of the page of a copy-book to be imitated by the pupil; copy-holder, a clasp for holding printer’s copy while being set up; copy-land, see B. 2; copy-purchaser, one who purchases a MS. for press; copy-slip, a slip of paper on which a writing-copy is written (cf. copy-head). See also COPY-BOOK, -HOLD, -MONEY.
1623. Lisle, Ælfric on O. & N. T., Pref. 5. The Latine *Copy-clarke … hath enfarced these words.
1862. Athenæum, 30 Aug., 279. ‘There is nothing’ (as the *copy-head says) ‘which is denied to well-directed labour.’
1877. Daily News, 5 Oct., 5/1. The great adage, ‘Fictitious sorrows harden the heart to real one,’ is current in copyheads.
1843. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., I. 209. As the *copy-line says, ‘procrastination is the root of all evil.’
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic. (1779), IV. xcii. 108. His importance among the *copy-purchasers in town.
1865. Pall Mall Gaz., 22 May, 1/2. To go to the country with the cry of Church and Queen…. This kind of *copyslip policy.
