copemate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
ObsoleteArchaic, literary
Quick answer
What does “copemate” mean?
A fellow sufferer, companion, or partner in a difficult situation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fellow sufferer, companion, or partner in a difficult situation; an associate who shares in adversity.
An obsolete term for a comrade, friend, or companion, often implying shared hardship or struggle. Historically used for a spouse, rival, or one who contends with another.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary difference; the word is obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it now carries only historical or deliberately archaic connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare to non-existent in modern usage for both. Might appear marginally more often in British historical novels due to greater preservation of archaic terms in UK literary tradition.
Grammar
How to Use “copemate” in a Sentence
[possessive] copemate (e.g., my copemate)copemate of [noun phrase] (e.g., copemate of misfortune)copemate in [noun] (e.g., copemate in sorrow)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only in historical or linguistic studies of Early Modern English.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “copemate”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Spelling as 'copmate' or 'cope mate'.
- Confusing it with 'copilot' or 'classmate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete word and is not used in contemporary speech or writing outside of historical contexts.
"Companion in adversity" or "fellow sufferer" are close conceptual synonyms. Simpler modern terms are 'comrade' or 'partner'.
No, 'copemate' is historically only a noun. The related verb is 'to cope'.
It's useful primarily for understanding historical literature. Studying it also illustrates how language evolves and how words for social relationships can fall out of use.
A fellow sufferer, companion, or partner in a difficult situation.
Copemate is usually archaic, literary in register.
Copemate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊpmeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊpmeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “copemates in misery”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'coping' with a difficult 'mate' (friend) – your COPEMATE is the friend you cope with hardships alongside.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A STRUGGLE / A shared struggle creates a bond (THE FELLOW STRUGGLER IS A COMPANION).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'copemate' be most appropriately used today?