Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

copperfasten

/ˈkɑpɚˌfæsn̩/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: cop-per-fas-ten
IPA: /ˈkɑpɚˌfæsn̩/

21

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

4

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To protect the timbers of (a ship) with plates of copper secured with copper nails or bolts.

Transitive verb

verb

To reinforce, strengthen; to make permanent, embed.

British usage; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"She is copper-fastened and copper-bottomed, and a remarkable fine ship."
"We had some striking examples of what happens when a guy gets so big for his britches that any pal of his is automatically a copper-fastened genius."
"This brings to an end a ten-year campaign by Pol O Murchú and other Irish language activists to copperfasten rights to have Irish language legislation made available […]"

Etymology

From copper + fasten. From copper sheathing of ship hulls (to protect from damage by marine organisms. Originally copper sheathing but non-copper bolts were used, leading to corrosion. Later copper bolts (fasteners) were also used, eliminating corrosion issues. Literal sense from 18th century, metaphorical sense attested 1948.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈkɑpɚˌfæsn̩/
British English: /ˈkɒpəˌfɑːsn̩/

Usage

Transitive verb
British usage

Inflected Forms

copperfastens (present, singular) copperfastening (participle, present) copperfastened (participle, past) copperfastened (past) copper fasten (alternative) copper-fasten (alternative)

Phrases

copper-bottomed nail down pin down

Frequently Paired Words

copper-bottomed nail down pin down

Questions

How do you pronounce copperfasten?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkɑpɚˌfæsn̩/.
What does copperfasten mean?: To protect the timbers of (a ship) with plates of copper secured with copper nails or bolts.
Where does copperfasten come from?: From copper + fasten. From copper sheathing of ship hulls (to protect from damage by marine organisms. Originally copper sheathing but non-copper bolts were used, leading to corrosion. Later copper bolts (fasteners) were also used, eliminating corrosion issues. Literal sense from 18th century, metaphorical sense attested 1948.

How to pronounce copperfasten

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Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkɑpɚˌfæsn̩/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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