Meanings
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1
adj
having the reddish-brown color or metallic sheen of polished copper
The fish flashed cupreous scales in the shallow water.
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2
adj
made of, containing, or relating to copper
The assay revealed cupreous deposits throughout the ore sample.
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3
noun
a reddish-brown color resembling polished copper
The artist used cupreous to warm the shadows around the figure.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Latin cupreus, 'of copper,' based on cuprum, 'copper.' Cuprum developed from aes Cyprium, 'metal of Cyprus,' because the island was an important ancient source of copper. English cupreous names both the substance and its characteristic reddish-brown color.