n.
Pronunciation: ' k ə -v ə r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: cov · ered ; cov · er · ing \ ' k ə v-ri ŋ , ' k ə -v ə - \
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French coverir, covrir, from Latin cooperire, from co- + operire to close, cover
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 a : to guard from attack b (1) : to have within the range of one's guns : COMMAND (2) : to hold within range of an aimed firearm c (1) : to afford protection or security to : INSURE (2) : to afford protection against or compensation for <a policy cover ing loss by fire> d (1) : to guard (an opponent) in order to obstruct a play <a linebacker assigned to cover the tight end> (2) : to be in position to receive a throw to (a base in baseball) <the shortstop was cover ing second> e (1) : to make provision for (a demand or charge) by means of a reserve or deposit <your balance is insufficient to cover the check> (2) : to maintain a check on especially by patrolling (3) : to protect by contrivance or expedient
2 a : to hide from sight or knowledge : CONCEAL < cover up a scandal> b : to lie over : ENVELOP <a blanket cover ing her legs>
3 : to lay or spread something over : OVERLAY < cover the seed bed with straw>
4 a : to spread over <snow cover ed the hills> b : to appear here and there on the surface of <a region cover ed with lakes>
5 : to place or set a cover or covering over < cover the pot>
6 a : to copulate with (a female animal) <a horse cover s a mare> b : to sit on and incubate (eggs)
7 : to invest with a large or excessive amount of something < cover ed herself with glory>
8 : to play a higher-ranking card on (a previously played card)
9 : to have sufficient scope to include or take into account <an examination cover ing a full year's work>
10 : to deal with : TREAT <material cover ed in the first chapter>
11 a : to have as one's territory or field of activity <one sales rep cover s the whole state> b : to report news about <reporters cover ing the campaign>
12 : to pass over : TRAVERSE <the hikers cover ed 12 miles that day>
13 : to defray the cost of < cover expenses>
14 : to place one's stake in equal jeopardy with in a bet
15 : to buy securities or commodities for delivery against (an earlier short sale)
16 : to record or perform a cover of (a song)
intransitive verb
1 : to conceal something illicit, blameworthy, or embarrassing from notice ― usually used with up
2 : to act as a substitute or replacement during an absence
– cov · er · able \ ' k ə v-r ə -b ə l, ' k ə -v ə - \ adjective
– co · ver · er \ ' k ə -v ə r- ə r \ noun
– cover one's tracks : to conceal traces in order to elude pursuers or escape detection
– cover the ground or cover ground : to deal with a subject or assignment in a particular manner <the new book covers a lot of ground >