Dictionary

copperskin en · NOUN

Etymology

From copper + skin, based on their skin tone.

Meanings

1. (derogatory) A Native American; American Indian.
   • Fill any copperskin full o' lead if n he gits too close. You hear me now? I cain't watch them brats an' mind them cattle if'n I'm goin' to keep this here wagon on the trail, now kin I?" 1975, Farrell, Cliff, The mighty land, Doubleday, page 51:
   • "language was not created until the several types of race had been fully fixed and determined. The Xanthocroid and the Melanocroid, the white Albino and the American copperskin existed with their features already fixed and enduring before the first community evolved the infantile language of mankind." 1919, James, E. O., An introduction to anthropology, Macmillan, page 254:
   • ‘Well, she ain’t no pure copperskin, that she ain’t,’ said a third. 1992, Stevens, Kate, Sisters in arms, Pan, page 10:
   • The Indians had returned and had been around the lake, but she tried to suppress her fear of the copperskins with this thought: If God protects me, I need not be afraid to walk alone through the forest. 1954, Moberg, Vilhelm, Unto a good land, Simon and Schuster, page 290:
   • The English, damp their black hearts, landed a band of copperskin warriors from Terranova south of our town 2008, Turtledove, Harry, The United States of Atlantis, ROC, page 103:

Forms

Relateds

copper-skinned