copeck
(ˈkəʊpɛk)
Also 7–8 copec, 8 copeik, copique, capeck, kapeke, 8–9 copeek, 9 kopek.
[ad. Russ. kop{supi}êika, kopeika, deriv. (dim. form) of kopyé lance, pike.
So called from the substitution in 1535 of the figure of Ivan IV. on horseback with a lance, for that of his predecessor with a sword. Cf. Bestuzhev-Riumin, Russkoya Istoriya, 1885, II. 206, and Karamzin VIII. i. (citing the contemporary Chronicle of Rostov.).]
A Russian copper coin, the 1/100 part of a rouble, now (1893) worth from 1/4 to 1/3 of a penny English.
| 1698 J. Crull Muscovy 144 To spend every Copec (or Penny) they have, in a Tippling-House, is a common thing here. 1716 J. Perry State of Russia 7 note, Each Copeck [was] full an English Penny Value; but since the Czar has recoined his Money, it is little more than half the former Value. 1775 Wraxall Tour N. Europe 164 Every one pays a few copiques for admittance. 1839 E. D. Clarke Trav. 46/1 A poud of beef sold in Woronetz for twenty-six copeeks. 1888 Times 27 June 12/1 A tax of half a copeck per pood should be levied on exported corn. |