cover Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
    concealment; covert; screen.
    • a screen of trees afforded privacy
    • under cover of darkness
    • the brush provided a covert for game
    • the simplest concealment is to match perfectly the color of the background
  2. noun bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
    blanket.
    • he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep
  3. noun the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it
    masking; screening; covering.
    • the cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft
  4. noun the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book
    binding; book binding; back.
    • the book had a leather binding
  5. noun a natural object that covers or envelops
    natural covering; covering.
    • under a covering of dust
    • the fox was flushed from its cover
  6. noun covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)
    top.
    • he removed the top of the carton
    • he couldn't get the top off of the bottle
    • put the cover back on the kettle
  7. noun fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations
    covering fire.
    • artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal
  8. noun a fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink
    cover charge.
  9. noun a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else
    cover version; cover song.
    • they made a cover of a Beatles' song
  10. noun a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)
    • her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment
  11. verb provide with a covering or cause to be covered
    • cover her face with a handkerchief
    • cover the child with a blanket
    • cover the grave with flowers
  12. verb form a cover over
    spread over.
    • The grass covered the grave
  13. verb span an interval of distance, space or time
    continue; extend.
    • The war extended over five years
    • The period covered the turn of the century
    • My land extends over the hills on the horizon
    • This farm covers some 200 acres
    • The Archipelago continues for another 500 miles
  14. verb provide for
    • The grant doesn't cover my salary
  15. verb act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
    plow; handle; deal; treat; address.
    • This book deals with incest
    • The course covered all of Western Civilization
    • The new book treats the history of China
  16. verb include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
    encompass; embrace; comprehend.
    • This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds
    • this should cover everyone in the group
  17. verb travel across or pass over
    traverse; track; pass over; get across; cross; cut through; get over; cut across.
    • The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day
  18. verb be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism
    report.
    • Snow reported on China in the 1950's
    • The cub reporter covered New York City
  19. verb hold within range of an aimed firearm
  20. verb to take an action to protect against future problems
    • Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself
  21. verb hide from view or knowledge
    cover up.
    • The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House
  22. verb protect or defend (a position in a game)
    • he covered left field
  23. verb maintain a check on; especially by patrolling
    • The second officer covered the top floor
  24. verb protect by insurance
    insure; underwrite.
    • The insurance won't cover this
  25. verb make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities
    overcompensate; compensate.
    • he is compensating for being a bad father
  26. verb invest with a large or excessive amount of something
    • She covered herself with glory
  27. verb help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities
    • She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week
  28. verb be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of
    • Is this enough to cover the check?
  29. verb spread over a surface to conceal or protect
    • This paint covers well
  30. verb cover as if with a shroud
    shroud; hide; enshroud.
    • The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery
  31. verb copulate with a female, used especially of horses
    breed.
    • The horse covers the mare
  32. verb put something on top of something else
    overlay.
    • cover the meat with a lot of gravy
  33. verb play a higher card than the one previously played
    • Smith covered again
  34. verb be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game
  35. verb sit on (eggs)
    incubate; brood; hatch.
    • Birds brood
    • The female covers the eggs
  36. verb clothe, as if for protection from the elements
    wrap up.
    • cover your head!

WordNet

Cov"er transitive verb
Etymology
OF. covrir, F. couvrir, fr. L. cooperire; co- + operire to cover; probably fr. ob towards, over + the root appearing in aperire to open. Cf. Aperient, Overt, Curfew.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Covered present participle & verbal noun Covering
Definitions
  1. To overspread the surface of (one thing) with another; as, to cover wood with paint or lacquer; to cover a table with a cloth.
  2. To envelop; to clothe, as with a mantle or cloak.
    And with the majesty of darkness round Covers his throune. Milton.
    All that beauty than doth cover thee. Shak.
  3. To invest (one's self with something); to bring upon (one's self); as, he covered himself with glory.
    The powers that covered themselves with everlasting infamy by the partition of Poland. Brougham.
  4. To hide sight; to conceal; to cloak; as, the snemy were covered from our sight by the woods.
    A cloud covered the mount. Exod. xxiv. 15.
    In vain shou striv'st to cover shame with shame. Milton.
  5. To brood or sit on; to incubate.
    While the hen is covering her eggs, the male . . . diverts her with his songs. Addison.
  6. To overwhelm; to spread over.
    The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen. Ex. xiv. 28.
  7. To shelter, as from evil or danger; to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat.
    His calm and blameless life Does with substantial blessedness abound, And the soft wings of peace cover him round. Cowley.
  8. To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit."Blessed is he whose is covered." Ps. xxxii. 1.
  9. To extend over; to be sufficient for; to comprehend, include, or embrace; to account for or solve; to counterbalance; as, a mortgage which fully covers a sum loaned on it; a law which covers all possible cases of a crime; receipts than do not cover expenses.
  10. To put the usual covering or headdress on.
    Cover thy head . . . ; nay, prithee, be covered. Shak.
  11. To copulate with (a female); to serve; as. a horse covers a mare; -- said of the male. Syn. -- To shelter; screen; shield; hide; overspread.
Cov"er noun
Definitions
  1. Anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book.
  2. Anything which weils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloack. "Under cover of the night." Macualay.
    A hendsome cover for imperfections. Collier.
  3. Shelter; protection; as, the troops fought under cover of the batteries; the woods afforded a good cover.
    Being compelled to lodge in the field . . . whilst his army was under cover, they might be forced to retire. Clarendon.
  4. (Huntig) The woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover.
  5. That portion of a slate, tile, or shingle, which is hidden by the overlap of the course above. Knight.
  6. (Steam Engine) The lap of a slide valve.
  7. Cf. F. couvert. A tablecloth, and the other table furniture; esp., the table furniture for the use of one person at a meal; as, covers were laid for fifty guests.
    Letters . . . dispatched under cover to her ladyship. Thackeray.
Cov"er intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913