Where does “cop” come from?
cop (Old French) comes from Vulgar Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Ancient Greek κόλαφος, from Ancient Greek κόνδυλος — knuckle; knot in a string; any hard, bony knob.
cop (Old French): Alternative form of colp; blow
Definitions
- Alternative form of colp; blow
Ancestry of “cop”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Vulgar Latin | colpus | stroke |
| 2 | Latin | colaphus | a blow with the fist; cuff |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | κόλαφος | a buffet, a blow |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | κόνδυλος | knuckle; knot in a string; any hard, bony knob |