Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒupen v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒupen v.(1) Also copen, coppen, caupen. |
| Etymology | OF couper |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. coupe n.(3).
1.
(a) To deliver blows, engage in combat, clash; ~ togeder; ~ with, come to blows with (sb.), tilt with; ~ at, attack (sb.); (b) to quarrel.
Associated quotations
a
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)799 : Þe worme..Commes glydande fro þe clowddez and cowpez full euen, Towchez hym wyth his talounez and terez hys rigge.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2543 : Thes lordlyche byernez..Cowpen at awntere be kraftes of armes, Till bothe þe crowell speres brousten att ones.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)6486 : Thay caupit at the knight, kene men of armys.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)7231 : He..coupid to-gedur, That bothe..on bent Lay.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)7775 : Þai caupit togedur, That bothe were backward þere borne of þere horses.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)10342 : He hade..cawpit with hym so, Þat þe grekes shuld haue greuyt.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)203 : Me were leuere..see a kene knyghte come and cowpe with my-seluen, Þat I myghte..prouen my strengthes.
- c1450(c1425) Brut-1419 (Cmb Kk.1.12)345/1 : Þis worthi Erle of Pembroke was slayn with þat oþer knightes spere, as he cast hit fro hym whanne he had cowped.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)219 : The kynge made hym to take harnys uppon hym..but he wolde nevyr cope whithe no man, and no man myght not cope whythe hym.
b
- c1450(c1398) Paris St.Christina (Arun 168)206 : She saide my doughter was she noghte; Thus coppide the kene..She braste my goddes so richely wrouthe.