Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Copis

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

COP'IS (κόπις). A scimitar; a sword with a convex edge (leniter curvatus, Curt. viii. 14.), and, consequently, better adapted for cutting than thrusting. It was more especially peculiar to the Eastern nations (Xen. Cyr. ii. 1. 9. vi. 2. 10.); and, accordingly, the example (Copis/1.1) here given is lying on the ground beside a wounded Phrygian, in a statue excavated at Pompeii.

2. The hunting knife (culter venatorius) in consequence of its having a convex edge (see the illustration s. CULTER, 3.), is called by the same name in Apuleius, Met. xi. p. 243.

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  Copis/1.1