ˈcop-head Obs. exc. dial.
[f. cop n.2 + head.]
1. A high peaked head.
Cf. cop, copped-crowned, s.v. cop n.2 8, copped 5.
2. ‘A crest of feathers or tuft of hair on the head of an animal’ (Halliwell); a crested head.
Cf. copple, copple-crown.
† 3. to play cop-head over: app. to turn head over heels. Obs.
| 1671 J. Blagrave Astrol. Physick 174 In her fits she..would sometimes leap about with her arms and legs like a frog, sometimes she would play cop-head over and over. |
Hence cop-headed, having a cop-head, or high tapering head.
| 1519 W. Horman Vulg. 31/1 Homer..sayth that he [Thersyte] was streyte in the shulders..and copheedyd [vertice acuminato] lyke a gygge. Ibid. 31/2 A copheedyd felowe may haue wytte ynough, cilo satis potest sapere. 1881 Dickinson Cumbrld. Gloss. (2nd Suppl.), Copt, Cop-heedit, [having] a peaked crown, as many polled cattle have. |