Copy, n.; pl. Copies.
Etymology: [F. copie, fr. L. copia abundance, number, LL. also, a transcript; co- + the root of opes riches. See Opulent, and cf. Copious.]
1. An abundance or plenty of anything. [Obs.] She was blessed with no more copy of wit, but to serve his humor thus. B. Jonson.
2. An imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work; as, a copy of a letter, an engraving, a painting, or a statue. I have not the vanity to think my copy equal to the original. Denham.
3. An individual book, or a single set of books containing the works of an author; as, a copy of the Bible; a copy of the works of Addison.
4. That which is to be imitated, transcribed, or reproduced; a pattern, model, or example; as, his virtues are an excellent copy for imitation. Let him first learn to write, after a copy, all the letters. Holder.
5 more senses
5. (print.)
Manuscript or printed matter to be set up in type; as, the printers are calling for more copy.
6. A writing paper Bastard. See under Paper.
7. Copyhold; tenure; lease. [Obs.] Shak. Copy book, a book in which copies are written or printed for learners to imitate. -- Examined copies (Law), those which have been compared with the originals. -- Exemplified copies, those which are attested under seal of a court. -- Certified or Office copies, those which are made or attested by officers having charge of the originals, and authorized to give copies officially. Abbot.
Syn. -- Imitation; transcript; duplicate; counterfeit.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Copy, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Copied; p.pr. & vb.n. Copying.]
1. To make a copy or copies of; to write; print, engrave, or paint after an original; to duplicate; to reproduce; to transcribe; as, to copy a manuscript, inscription, design, painting, etc.; -- often with out, sometimes with off. I like the work well; ere it be demanded (As like enough it will), I'd have it copied. Shak. Let this be copied out, And keep it safe for our remembrance. Shak.
2. To imitate; to attempt to resemble, as in manners or course of life. We copy instinctively the voices of our companions, their accents, and their modes of pronunciation. Stewart.
Copy, v. i.
1. To make a copy or copies; to imitate.
2. To yield a duplicate or transcript; as, the letter did not copy well. Some . . . never fail, when they copy, to follow the bad as well as the good things. Dryden.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for copy; he lists it under duplicate, follow, model.
Where he writes about it:
A copy is as nearly like the original as the copyist has power to make it; a duplicate is exactly like the original; a carbon copy of a typewritten document must be a duplicate; we may have an inaccurate copy, but never an inaccurate duplicate. — from duplicate
A counterpart exactly corresponds to another object, but perhaps without design, while a copy is intentional. — from duplicate
A replica is a copy of a work of art by the maker of the original. — from duplicate
In law, a copy of an instrument has in itself no authority; the signatures, as well as other matters, may be copied; a duplicate is really an original, containing the same provisions and signed by the same persons, so that it may have in all respects the same force and effect; a transcript is an official copy, authenticated by the signature of the proper officer, and by the seal of the appropriate court. — from duplicate
A pattern is always, in modern use, that which is to be copied; a model may be either the thing to be copied or the copy that has been made from it; as, the models in the Patent Office. — from model
A sculptor may idealize his living model; his workmen must exactly copy in marble or metal the model he has made in clay. — from model