copper

Where does the word "copper" come from? It comes from Greek Kyprios, passing through Latin and Old English before entering English (1200s).

Copper’s story begins in Greek: Kyprios meant “of Cyprus.” Of Cyprus, the island whose mines were the main ancient source of the metal. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as cuprum. Shortened from aes Cyprium (Cyprian metal), for the reddish metal. From there it passed into Old English as coper by old english. Latin 'cyprium aes', metal of Cyprus, where the Romans mined much of their copper. It reached English by 1200s as copper. Settled as the modern English word for the metal. Today, copper means a reddish-brown metallic element widely used in wiring and coinage.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient Kyprios "of Cyprus", of Cyprus, the island whose mines were the main ancient source of the metal.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient cuprum "the reddish metal from Cyprus", shortened from aes Cyprium (Cyprian metal), for the reddish metal.
3. Stage 3 · Old English · old english coper "the reddish metal", Latin 'cyprium aes', metal of Cyprus, where the Romans mined much of their copper.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1200s copper "a reddish metallic element", settled as the modern English word for the metal.