Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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adj
Having lower parts made of or covered by copper.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: especially
Qualifier: literal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Thoroughly reliable; secure.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, idiomatic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adjective satellite
having a bottom of copper or sheathed with copper
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
From the copper sheathing applied to the bottom of a wooden ship to prevent damage from marine organisms. In literal sense 18th century, in figurative sense attested since at least 1807. The British idiomatic use comes from the fact that with Britain being a major naval power, there was always a ready market for copper in ship construction, making it a reliable commodity to invest in.
Across languages
1 source translations are retained for this English entry.
