1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a small, esp. sheltered, bay or creek.
2 a sheltered recess.
3 Archit. a concave arch or arched moulding, esp. one formed at the junction of a wall with a ceiling.
--v.tr. Archit.
1. provide (a room, ceiling, etc.) with a cove.
2 slope (the sides of a fireplace) inwards.
Etymology: OE cofa chamber f. Gmc 2. n. Brit. sl. archaic a fellow; a chap.
Etymology: 16th-c. cant: orig. unkn.