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- Dictionarycover/ˈkʌvə/
verb
- 1. put something on top of or in front of (something), especially in order to protect or conceal it: "the table had been covered with a checked tablecloth" Similar put something on top ofplace something overplace under coverprotectshieldshelterenvelopenfoldengulfenclosetuckcupsurroundhousesinkembedburysubmergeimmerseOpposite reveal
- ▪ envelop in a layer of something, especially dirt: "he was covered in mud" Similar cakecoatencrustplasterspread thicklysmotherdaubsmearbedauboverspreadliterary:besmearblanketoverlayoverspreadcarpetoverlieextend overlayercoatfilmsubmergeliterary:mantlepave
- ▪ scatter a layer of loose material over (a floor or other surface), leaving it obscured: "the barn floor was covered in straw"
- ▪ lie over or adhere to (a surface), as decoration or to conceal something: "masonry paint will cover hairline cracks"
- 2. extend over (an area): "the grounds covered eight acres"
- ▪ travel (a specified distance): "it took them four days to cover 150 miles" Similar traveljourneygodoput behind oneget under one's belttravel overpass overjourney over/acrosstraversecrossgo acrossmake one's way acrossrange/tramp over
- 3. deal with (a subject) by describing or analysing its most important aspects or events: "a sequence of novels that will cover the period from 1968 to the present"
- ▪ investigate, report on, or show pictures of (an event): "Channel 4 are covering the match" Similar reportwrite upwrite aboutdescribecommentate ontell ofwrite/give an account ofpublish/broadcast details ofinvestigatelook intoinquire into
- ▪ have responsibility for or provide services to (a particular area): "development officers whose work would cover a large area" Similar includeinvolvetake indeal withcontaincompriseprovide forembraceembodyincorporatesubsumerefer toconsider
- ▪ (of a rule or law) apply to (a person or situation): "the offence covers a wide spectrum of culpability"
- 4. (of a sum of money) be enough to pay (a cost): "there are grants to cover the cost of materials for loft insulation" Similar offsetcounterbalancebalancecancel outmake up forpay backpaypay forbe enough forfundfinancemake uphave enough money forprovide for
- ▪ (of insurance) protect against a liability, loss, or accident involving financial consequences: "you're covered for up to $500 of incidentals per person" Similar insureprotectsecureunderwriteprovide insurance forindemnifyassure
- ▪ take precautionary measures so as to protect oneself against future blame or liability: "one reason doctors take temperatures is to cover themselves against negligence claims"
- 5. disguise the sound or fact of (something) with another sound or action: "Louise laughed to cover her embarrassment" Similar maskdisguiseobscurehidestop something being overheardmufflestiflesmothercamouflageblot outcloakveilshroudswathesecreteenvelopliterary:enshroud
- 6. aim a gun at (someone) in order to prevent them from moving or escaping: "she raised her gun to cover Klift"
- ▪ protect (an exposed person) by shooting at an enemy: "I moved in front of Hawk to cover him as he reloaded"
- ▪ (of a fortress, gun, or cannon) have (an area) within range.
- ▪ stand behind (another player) to stop any missed balls.
- ▪ (in team games) take up a position ready to defend against (an opposing player).
- ▪ be in position at (a base) ready to catch the ball: "he moved to cover second base"
- 7. record or perform a new version of (a song) originally performed by someone else: "other artists who have covered the song include U2"
- 8. (of a male animal, especially a stallion) copulate with (a female animal): "a working stallion who has covered forty mares this season"
- 9. play a higher card on (a high card) in a trick: "the ploy will fail if the ten is covered"
noun
- 1. a thing which lies on, over, or around something, especially in order to protect or conceal it: "a seat cover" Similar sleevewrappingwrappercoveringenvelopesheathsheathinghousingjacketcasingcowlingawningtarpaulinlidtopcapcoatingcoatcoveringlayercarpetblanketoverlaytoppingdustingcloakmantlecanopyfilmsheetveneercrustsurfaceskimskinthicknessdepositveilpallshroud
- ▪ a thin solid object that seals a container or hole; a lid: "a manhole cover"
- ▪ a thick protective outer part or page of a book or magazine: "the year that Crime and Punishment appeared in hard covers" Similar bindingcaseboardsjacketdust jacketdust coverwrapper
- ▪ bedclothes: "she burrowed down beneath the covers" Similar bedclothesbeddingsheetsblanketslinenduvetquilteiderdownbedspreadcounterpane
- ▪ the amount of ground covered by a vertical projection of the vegetation, usually expressed as a percentage.
- 2. shelter or protection sought by people in danger: "the sirens wailed and we ran for cover" Similar shelterprotectionrefugehidingconcealmenthousingsanctuaryshielddefencehavenhiding place
- ▪ undergrowth or trees used as a shelter by animals: "the standing crops of game cover" Similar undergrowthvegetationshrubberygreeneryground coverunderwoodcopsewoodbrushwoodbrushscrubunderscrubwoodlandforestjunglebushesplantscovertthicketcopsecoppiceunderbrushunderbushshin-tangledialect:fritharchaic:ronerare:herbageverdure
- ▪ military support given when someone is being attacked: "they agreed to provide additional naval cover"
- ▪ an activity or organization used as a means of concealing an illegal or secret activity: "the restaurant was run as a cover for a money-laundering operation" Similar frontfacadesmokescreenscreenblinddeceptioncamouflagedisguisemaskcloakpretextmasqueradefeint
- ▪ an identity adopted by a spy to conceal their true activities: "he was worried that their cover was blown"
- 3. protection by insurance against a liability, loss, or accident: British "your policy provides cover against damage by subsidence" Similar insuranceprotectionsecurityindemnificationindemnitycompensationassurance
- 4. a recording or performance of a song previously recorded by a different artist: "the band played covers of Beatles songs"
- 5. a place setting at a table in a restaurant: "the busiest time is in summer, with up to a thousand covers for three meals a day"
- 6. short for cover point
- ▪ an area of the field consisting of cover point and extra cover: "deliveries pitching outside leg stump are pounded through the covers"
Word Origin Middle English: from Old French covrir, from Latin cooperire, from co- (expressing intensive force) + operire ‘to cover’. The noun is partly a variant of covert.
Derivatives
- 1. coverable adjective
Scrabble Points: 10
C
3O
1V
4E
1R
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