Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
COPE
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English -cāp, from Late Latin cappa head covering
Date: 13th century
a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment,
2. something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering) , coping ,
II. transitive verb (coped; coping)
Date: 14th century
to cover or furnish with a cope,
III. verb (coped; coping)
Etymology: Middle English copen, coupen, from Anglo-French couper to strike, cut, from cop, colp blow, from Late Latin colpus, alteration of Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos buffet
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb strike , fight ,
2. to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success, to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties, meet , encounter , transitive verb to meet in combat, to come in contact with, match ,
IV. transitive verb (coped; coping)
Etymology: probably from French couper to cut
Date: circa 1901
to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member, notch