Cop"per*as (?), n. [OE.
coperose, F. couperose, fr. (assumed?) L.
cuprirosa, equiv. to G. cha`lkanqos, i. e.
copper flower, vitriol. See Copper and Rose.]
Green vitriol, or sulphate of iron; a green crystalline
substance, of an astringent taste, used in making ink, in dyeing
black, as a tonic in medicine, etc. It is made on a large scale
by the oxidation of iron pyrites. Called also ferrous
sulphate.
&fist; The term copperas was formerly synonymous with
vitriol, and included the green, blue, and white vitriols,
or the sulphates of iron, copper, and zinc.