copperfasten
To protect the timbers of with plates of copper secured with copper nails or boltsTo protect the timbers of (a ship) with plates of copper secured with copper nails or bolts.
Meaning
2 senses(historical, transitive)To protect the timbers of (a ship) with plates of copper secured with copper nails or bolts.
(Ireland, UK, figuratively, transitive)To reinforce, strengthen; to make permanent, embed.
Origin
From copper + fasten. From copper sheathing of ship hulls (to protect from damage by marinFrom 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.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
copperfastens, copperfastening, copperfastened, copperfastened| Base form | copperfasten · to copperfasten |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | copperfastens |
| Present participle | copperfastening |
| Past simple | copperfastened |
| Past participle | copperfastened |
regular · Lesson
Word family
3 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle