n.
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Date: 14th century
1 : something that protects, shelters, or guards: as a : natural shelter for an animal also : the factors that provide such shelter b (1) : a position or situation affording protection from enemy fire (2) : the protection offered by airplanes in tactical support of a military operation c British : COVERAGE 1A B 2A
2 : something that is placed over or about another thing: a : LID , TOP b : a binding or case for a book or the analogous part of a magazine also : the front or back of such a binding c : an overlay or outer layer especially for protection <a mattress cover > d : a tablecloth and the other table accessories e : COVER CHARGE f : ROOF g : a cloth used on a bed for warmth or for decoration ― usually used in plural <lying under the cover s > h : something (as vegetation or snow) that covers the ground i : the extent to which clouds obscure the sky
3 a : something that conceals or obscures <under cover of darkness> b : a masking device : PRETEXT <the project was a cover for intelligence operations>
4 : an envelope or wrapper for mail
5 : one who substitutes for another during an absence
6 : a recording or performance of a song previously recorded by another performer
– cov · er · less \ ' k ə -v ə r-l ə s \ adjective
– under cover
1 : in an envelope or wrapper
2 : under concealment : in secret