I. ˈkəvə(r)]t, ˈkōvə(r)]t, -ōˌvər]t, -ōˌvə̄]t, -ōˌvəi]t, usu ]d.+V adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French (past participle of covrir to cover), from Latin coopertus, past participle of cooperire to cover — more at cover
1.
a. : marked by or as if by concealment : kept private : not open, overt, or avowed : hidden , veiled
ostensibly in sympathy but with covert malice
b. : of hidden or doubtful meaning
the covert wording of the message
c. : performed or expressed surreptitiously, with reluctance to admit or avow, or with attempt at concealment
listening to the long story with covert yawns
at first in covert conversation and now more openly in published works — W.H.Camp
2. obsolete : secretive , deceitful
3. : covered over, sheltered, and secluded especially in sylvan surroundings
starting from some covert place, saluted the chance comer on the road — William Wordsworth
4. of a woman : married and under cover, authority, or protection of the husband — see feme covert
5.
a. : subconsciously motivated : implicit rather than explicit : underlying
covert behavior
covert needs
b. : not sanctioned or allowed open social expression
covert cultural configurations and values
Synonyms: see secret
II. ˈkəvə(r)]t, ˈkōvə(r)]t, usu ]d.+V; Brit often ˈkəvə(r\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from covert, adjective
1.
a. : hiding place : shelter , refuge
soldiers firing from coverts
b. : a coppice affording cover for game : a hiding place in such a coppice
the king shot a stag as it broke from covert — S.P.B.Mais
c. : a masking or concealing device
deliberation as a covert for their inactivity
2. archaic : something that covers : covering
the thick covert on a walnut
a bed without coverts
3. : a feather covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird — called also tectrix ; see bird illustration
4. or covert cloth : a firm durable twilled sometimes waterproofed coating and suiting usually made of mixed-color yarns that give a flecked effect ; also : a similar cotton or rayon fabric for sportswear