2. To encounter; to meet; to have to do with.
Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man As e'er my
conversation coped withal. --Shak.
3. To enter into or maintain a hostile contest; to struggle;
to combat; especially, to strive or contend on equal terms
or with success; to match; to equal; -- usually followed
by with.
Host coped with host, dire was the din of war.
--Philips.
Their generals have not been able to cope with the
troops of Athens. --Addison.