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copy Definition

copy (käp′ē)

noun pl. copies cop′·ies

  1. a thing made just like another; imitation of an original; full reproduction or transcription
  2. Now Rare a model or pattern, as of penmanship, to be imitated or reproduced
  3. any of a number of books, magazines, engravings, etc. printed from the same plates or having the same printed matter
  4. matter to be set in type or put on a printing plate
  5. subject matter for a journalist, novelist, etc. a trip that made good copy
  6. the words of an advertisement, as distinct from the layout, pictures, music, etc.

Etymology: ME copie, abundance, full transcript < OFr < ML copia, copious transcript < L copia, plenty: see copious

transitive verb, intransitive verb copied cop′·ied, copying cop′y·ing

  1. to make a copy or copies of (a piece of writing, etc.); reproduce; transcribe
  2. to make or do something in imitation of (some thing or person); imitate
  3. Informal to provide (someone) with a copy of a specified document, text, etc. copy all staff members with the annual report
copy Synonyms

copy

n.

facsimile, duplicate, reproduction, replica, photocopy, photostat, likeness, print, simulation, impersonation, reprint, offprint, Xerox (trademark), fax, hard copy, microfiche, imitation, forgery, counterfeit, fake, rubbing, transcript, carbon, carbon copy, mimeograph sheet, mimeograph copy, typescript, transcription, cast, tracing, effigy, counterpart, mirror image, semblance, likeness, portrait, model, image, reflection, representation, replication, study, photograph, microcopy, microfilm, examined copy, certified copy, fair copy, example, specimen, impression, text, proof, ditto, knockoff*; see also duplicate, imitation 2, reproduction 3.

copy, the broadest of these terms, refers to a thing that is made to be like another, whether the resulting correspondence is exact or approximate a carbon copy; reproduction implies a close imitation of an original, often, however, with differences, as of material, size, or quality a reproduction of a painting; a facsimile is an exact reproduction in appearance, sometimes, however, differing in scale a facsimile of the original Declaration of Independence; a duplicate is a double, or counterpart, of something, serving all the purposes of the original a duplicate of the contract; a replica is an exact reproduction of a work of art or other object, sometimes on a smaller scale a replica of the Parthenon, in strict usage referring to a reproduction of a work of art made by the original artist

copy Synonyms

copy

v.

  1. To imitate

    follow the example of, mimic, ape; see follow 2, imitate 2, parody.

  2. To reproduce

    represent, duplicate, paraphrase, counterfeit, forge, photocopy, ditto, transcribe, delineate, depict, portray, picture, repeat, reduplicate, replicate, clone, plagiarize, borrow, lift*, crib*, knock off*; see also draw 2, reproduce 1, 2. See syn. study at imitate.

copy Law Definition

n

  1. A duplicate, imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original.
  2. One of multiple originals.
certified copy
A copy of a document to which a statement, usually by the person who issued or is keeping the original, affirming or swearing that the copy and the original have been compared and that the copy is an exact reproduction of the original. Also called attested copy or verified copy.
conformed copy
A copy of a document to which changes or insertions are made to reflect identical changes and insertions made in the original. For example, if a judge makes changes to a proposed order before signing it, a party would “conform” a copy by adding to it those same changes as well as writing in the judge’s name where he or she signed on the original order.
copy Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • document: You may find it useful to print a copy of each document to retain for your own records.
  • booklet: Contact CIS for a copy of the booklet ' Looking for Childcare ' .

Converse of object

  • send: Send a printed copy too, double line spaced is nice.
  • download: Click on the MS Word icon to download a sample copy of the Monthly Outlook.
  • like: Please contact me if you would like a copy of either of these.
  • request: To request a copy of the report please contact us.

Adjective modifier

  • hard: For a hard copy or help in reading the Scheme, please contact the Policy Unit.
  • archived: The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
  • free: Click on the icon to download a free copy.

Noun used with modifier

  • carbon: The Goose up the road in Kings Heath is almost a carbon copy, in both style and clientele.
copy Quotes

It is all very well to copy what you see; it is much better to draw what you see only in memory.

—Degas, (Hilaire Germain) Edgar

Artistes, poe'  tes, e¤  crivains, si vous copiez toujours, on ne vous copiera jamais. Artists, poets, writers, if you copy others all the time, no one will copy you.

—Bernardin de Saint-Pierre,Jacques-Henri

Browse dictionary entries near copy

  1. ‹ copulatory
  2. ‹ copulatively
  3. ‹ copulative
  4. ‹ copulation
  5. ‹ copulating
  6. ‹ copulated
  7. ‹ copulate
  8. ‹ copulas
  9. ‹ copular
  10. ‹ copula
  1. copy aide ›
  2. copy boy ›
  3. copy desk ›
  4. copy-edit ›
  5. copy editor ›
  6. copy-text ›
  7. copybook ›
  8. copycat ›
  9. copyhold ›
  10. copyholder ›