intransitive verb
coped, cop′ing- to fight or contend (with) successfully or on equal terms
- to deal with problems, troubles, etc.
- Archaic to meet, encounter, or have to do (with)
Origin of cope
Middle English coupen from Old French coper, colper, to strike from colp, coup- Archaic to meet, as in a contest; encounter
- Obs. to match equally