cuprine

English

Etymology

Ultimately from Latin cuprum (“copper”). See -ine.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkjupɹɪn/, /ˈkup-/, /-ɹaɪn/, /-ɹin/

Adjective

cuprine (not comparable)

1. (possibly obsolete) Synonym of cupric (“pertaining to or derived from copper”).
   • 1819, Abraham Rees, The Cyclopædia, Or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, ...:

     We must not here omit a water in Germany, which is ordinarily supposed to change iron into copper. The truth is, there is no real conversion of the metal; that that is done is, that the cuprine and vitriolic particles in the water corrode the iron; and, detaching parts of them by means of the motion of the water, coppery particles succeed in their room.