covey Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small collection of people
  2. noun a small flock of grouse or partridge

WordNet

Cov"ey noun
Etymology
OF. cove, F. couve, fr. cover, F. couver, to sit or brood on, fr. L. cubare to lie down; cf. E. incubate. See Cubit, and cf. Cove to brood.
Definitions
  1. A brood or hatch of birds; an old bird with her brood of young; hence, a small flock or number of birds together; -- said of game; as, a covey of partridges. Darwin.
  2. A company; a bevy; as, a covey of girls. Addison.
Cov"ey intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To brood; to incubate. Obs.
    [Tortoises] covey a whole year before they hatch. Holland.
Cov"ey noun
Definitions
  1. A pantry. Prov. Eng. Parker.

Webster 1913