Cover /(k?v"?r)/

Cov·er

Cover

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Covered; p. pr. & vb. n. Covering

  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 throne.
    All that beauty than doth cover thee.
  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 enemy 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.
  5. To brood or sit on; to incubate.
    While the hen is covering her eggs, the male . . . diverts her with his songs.
    The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen.
    — Ex. xiv. 28.
  6. 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.
  7. To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit.
  8. 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.
  9. To put the usual covering or headdress on.
    Cover thy head . . . ; nay, prithee, be covered.
  10. To copulate with (a female); to serve; as, a horse covers a mare; -- said of the male.

Phrases & Compounds
To cover ground
to pass over; as, the rider covered the ground in an hour.
To cover one's short contracts
to buy stock when the market rises, as a dealer who has sold short does in order to protect himself.
Covering party
a detachment of troops sent for the protection of another detachment, as of men working in the trenches.
To cover into
to transfer to; as, to cover into the treasury.

Cover

n.
  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 veils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloak.
    A handsome 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.
  4. The woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover. (Hunting)
  5. The lap of a slide valve. (Steam Engine)
  6. 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.

Phrases & Compounds
To break cover
to start from a covert or lair; -- said of game.
Under cover
in an envelope, or within a letter; -- said of a written message.

Cover

v. i.
  1. To spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet. [Obs.]