adjective , noun
■ adjective
/ ˈkʌvət; ˈkəʊvɜːt; NAmE ˈkoʊvɜːrt/ ( formal ) secret or hidden, making it difficult to notice :
covert operations / surveillance
He stole a covert glance at her across the table.
—compare overt
► cov·ert·ly adverb :
She watched him covertly in the mirror.
■ noun
/ˈkʌvət; NAmE -vərt/ an area of thick low bushes and trees where animals can hide
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the general senses covered and a cover ): from Old French , covered , past participle of covrir , from Latin cooperire , from co- (expressing intensive force) + operire to cover.