Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

1885. Mrs. Praed, `Australian Life,' p. 76:

"Cooliman, a vessel for carrying water, made out of the bark which covers an excrescence peculiar to a kind of gum-tree."

<hw>Cooper's-flag</hw>, <i>n</i>. another name in New Zealand for <i>Raupo</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Coopers-wood</hw>, <i>n</i>. the timber of an Australian tree, <i>Alphitonia excelsa</i>, Reiss, <i>N.O. Rhamneae</i>. The wood becomes dark with age, and is used for coopers' staves and various purposes.

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 373:

"Variously called Mountain-ash, Red-ash, Leather-jacket, and Coopers-wood."

<hw>Coordaitcha</hw>. See <i>Kurdaitcha</i>.

<hw>Coot</hw>, <i>n</i>. common English birdname; the Australian species is <i>Fulica australis</i>, Gould. See also <i>Bald-Coot</i>.

<hw>Copper-head</hw>, <i>n</i>. See under <i>Snake</i>.

<hw>Copper Maori</hw>. This spelling has been influenced by the English word <i>Copper</i>, but it is really a corruption of a Maori word. There is a difference of opinion amongst Maori scholars what this word is. Some say <i>Kapura</i>, a common fire used for cooking, in contradistinction to a `chief's fire,' at which he sat, and which would not be allowed to be defiled with food. Others say <i>Kopa</i>. The Maori word <i>Kopa</i> was (1) <i>adj</i>. meaning <i>bent</i>, (2) <i>n</i>. <i>angle</i> or <i>corner</i>, and (3) the native oven, or more strictly the hole scooped out for the oven.