copy

cop|y1 [ `kapi ] noun ***

1. ) count a document, computer file, etc. that is exactly like the original one:

copy of: Please enclose a copy of your birth certificate.

Keep back-up copies of all your Word files.

make a copy (of something): I made copies of the report for the meeting.

a ) something exactly like something else:

The disease occurs if someone inherits two copies of an abnormal gene.

b ) something that is deliberately made to look the same as something else:

It's not a genuine Tudor table, but it's a good copy.

2. ) count a single newspaper, book, CD, piece of software, etc., that is one of many that are all exactly the same:

Her first album sold 100,000 copies.

copy of: Do you have a copy of yesterday's newspaper?

3. ) uncount writing that is ready to be published in a newspaper or magazine:

Copy for our April issue must be submitted by March 20th.

a ) news, opinions, or information published in a newspaper or magazine:

good/great/interesting etc. copy: His controversial remarks always make good copy.

=> HARD COPY

cop|y2 [ `kapi ] verb **

▸ 1 make copy of original

▸ 2 do something like someone else

▸ 3 make something look the same

▸ 4 take ideas/methods

▸ 5 write the same

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) intransitive or transitive to make a copy of a piece of information by writing it somewhere:

Just copy what's in the book.

copy from: The students spent the whole class copying from the chalkboard.

copy something into something: He copied the number into his notebook.

a ) transitive to make a PHOTOCOPY:

I copied the letter and kept the original.

b ) transitive to make a copy of a piece of computer DATA, such as a piece of writing or a program:

Use the mouse to highlight the text you want to copy.

copy something over/across/to/onto: To install, first copy the setup file onto your hard drive.

c ) transitive to make a copy that is the same as the original thing:

They were charged with illegally copying videotapes.

Changes can occur when DNA is copied from one cell to another.

2. ) intransitive or transitive to do something in the same way as someone else:

Children learn by watching and copying.

The instructor does exercises that you can copy while you watch.

3. ) transitive to deliberately make something that looks exactly like something else:

She had painstakingly copied an 18th-century painting.

4. ) transitive to take someone else's ideas or methods and use them:

Bush's slogan compassionate conservatism was copied by several European politicians.

5. ) intransitive or transitive to look at someone else's work and write the same as they have, for example in order to cheat in an examination

,copy `down phrasal verb transitive

to write exactly what someone has written or said:

We carefully copied down the chemical formula.

,copy `in phrasal verb transitive

to send someone a copy of an e-mail or letter that you are sending to another person:

I'll e-mail her about it, and copy you in.

,copy `out phrasal verb transitive

to write something again exactly as it has been written:

We had to copy out sentences from a book.

`copy ,to phrasal verb transitive

copy something to someone to send a copy of a message or letter to someone:

I accidentally copied the e-mail to everyone in the company.