\Cope\ (k[=o]p), n. [A doublet of cape. See {Cape}, {Cap}.]
1. A covering for the head. [Obs.] --Johnson.
2. Anything regarded as extended over the head, as the arch
   or concave of the sky, the roof of a house, the arch over
   a door. ``The starry cope of heaven.'' --Milton.
3. An ecclesiastical vestment or cloak, semicircular in form,
   reaching from the shoulders nearly to the feet, and open
   in front except at the top, where it is united by a band
   or clasp. It is worn in processions and on some other
   occasions. --Piers plowman.
         A hundred and sixty priests all in their copes.
                                               --Bp. Burnet.
4. An ancient tribute due to the lord of the soil, out of the
   lead mines in Derbyshire, England.
5. (Founding) The top part of a flask or mold; the outer part
   of a loam mold. --Knight. De Colange.

\Cope\, v. i.
To form a cope or arch; to bend or arch; to bow. [Obs.]
      Some bending down and coping toward the earth.
                                               --Holland.

\Cope\, v. t. (Falconry)
To pare the beak or talons of (a hawk). --J. H. Walsh.

\Cope\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Coped} (k[=o]pt); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Coping}.] [OE. copen, coupen, to buy, bargain, prob. from
D. koopen to buy, orig., to bargain. See {Cheap}.]
1. To exchange or barter. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. To encounter; to meet; to have to do with.
         Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man As e'er my
         conversation coped withal.            --Shak.
3. To enter into or maintain a hostile contest; to struggle;
   to combat; especially, to strive or contend on equal terms
   or with success; to match; to equal; -- usually followed
   by with.
         Host coped with host, dire was the din of war.
                                               --Philips.
         Their generals have not been able to cope with the
         troops of Athens.                     --Addison.

\Cope\, v. t.
1. To bargain for; to buy. [Obs.]
2. To make return for; to requite; to repay. [Obs.]
         three thousand ducats due unto the Jew, We freely
         cope your courteous pains withal.     --Shak.
3. To match one's self against; to meet; to encounter.
         I love to cope him in these sullen fits. --Shak.
         They say he yesterday coped Hector in the battle,
         and struck him down.                  --Shak.