cope-stone

The builder places the final cope-stone on top of the garden wall.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stone that caps a wall: "cope-stone" refers to a stone placed on top of a wall or structure, often part of a coping, to protect it from weather.
   • A finishing touch: Figuratively, "cope-stone" means the final act or detail that completes a task or work, bringing it to a satisfactory end.

Usage Examples

• (A stone that caps and protects the wall.)
• (The final detail that completed the artwork.)
• (The ultimate achievement that finished his career goals.)

Advanced Usage

• "to put the cope-stone to one's work": to complete a task with a final, often crowning, action.
  • She put the cope-stone to her research by publishing the definitive paper. (She finished her work with a culminating achievement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Coping-stone (n): an alternative spelling of "cope-stone," referring to the same stone used in coping.
  • The coping-stone on the roof prevented water damage. (The stone cap protected the structure.)
• Cope (n): the top layer of a wall, often made of stone or brick, that protects it.
  • The cope of the parapet was reinforced with concrete. (The top covering of the wall.)

Synonyms

• Capstone: a stone forming the top of a structure; also used figuratively for a final achievement.
• Crowning touch: a final detail that perfects something.
• Finishing stone: a stone that completes a masonry work.

Related Idioms

• "The cope-stone of success": the final element that ensures success or completion.
  • Winning the championship was the cope-stone of his athletic career. (The ultimate achievement that capped his efforts.)