▪ I. cupper1
(ˈkʌpə(r))
[f. cup n. and v. + -er1.]
† 1. = cup-bearer. Obs.
| 14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 572/46 Cipharius, an{supc}⊇ a cuppere, or a dysshere. c 1566 in R. Chambers Life Jas. I (1830) I. i. 30 To the Queenis Majesty the Earl of Huntlie was Carver, the Earl of Cassillis cupper. 1652 Earl of Monmouth tr. Bentivoglio's Relat. 58 The Carvers, Cuppers, and Suers. |
2. One who performs the operation of cupping: see cup v. 1, cupping 1.
| 1812 London Direct., Atkinson, J., Cupper. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair lxi, The bleeders and cuppers come. |
▪ II. cupper2 Oxford Univ. slang.
[f. cup n. + -er6.]
A series of intercollegiate matches played in competition for a cup. Freq. in pl.
| 1900 Oxford Mag. 31 Oct. 52/2 In the Cuppers we are drawn to play against New College. 1903 Ibid. 11 Feb. 214/1 Hockey.—.. We are drawn against Magdalen in the second round of the ‘Cupper’. 1928 Observer 18 Mar. 13/4 The final of ‘the rugger cupper’. 1937 C. Day Lewis Starting Point 37 Next week I've got to go into training for Cuppers. 1961 Times 8 Mar. 18/1 The Oxford University Rugby cuppers final. |