copper-bottomed
copper-bottomed · more copper-bottomed · most copper-bottomed
Having lower parts made of or covered by copperHaving lower parts made of or covered by copper.
Meaning
2 senses(especially)Having lower parts made of or covered by copper.
having a bottom of copper or sheathed with copper
(UK, idiomatic)Thoroughly reliable; secure.
Translations
1 languagesOrigin
From the copper sheathing applied to the bottom of a wooden ship to prevent damage from maFrom the copper sheathing applied to the bottom of a wooden ship to prevent damage from marine organisms. In literal sense 18th century, in figurative sense attested since at least 1807. The British idiomatic use comes from the fact that with Britain being a major naval power, there was always a ready market for copper in ship construction, making it a reliable commodity to invest in.
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Forms
more copper-bottomed, most copper-bottomed| Comparative | more copper-bottomed Lesson |
|---|---|
| Superlative | most copper-bottomed Lesson |
regular
Word family
3 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A2Comparatives — Because it has a comparative form
- A2Superlatives — Because it has a superlative form