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¹cover

verb cov·er \ˈkə-vər\

: to put something over, on top of, or in front of (something else) especially in order to protect, hide, or close it

: to be spread over or on top of (something)

: to be over much or all of the surface of (something)

cov·eredcov·er·ing \ˈkəv-riŋ, ˈkə-və-\

Full Definition of COVER

transitive verb

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 covering 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 covering 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

a : to hide from sight or knowledge : conceal <cover up a scandal>

b : to lie over : envelop <a blanket covering her legs>

: to lay or spread something over : overlay <cover the seed bed with straw>

a : to spread over <snow covered the hills>

b : to appear here and there on the surface of <a region covered with lakes>

: to place or set a cover or covering over <cover the pot>

a : to copulate with (a female animal) <a horse covers a mare>

b : to sit on and incubate (eggs)

: to invest with a large or excessive amount of something <covered herself with glory>

: to play a higher-ranking card on (a previously played card)

: to have sufficient scope to include or take into account <an examination covering a full year's work>

: to deal with : treat <material covered in the first chapter>

a : to have as one's territory or field of activity <one sales rep covers the whole state>

b : to report news about <reporters covering the campaign>

: to pass over : traverse <the hikers covered 12 miles that day>

: to defray the cost of <cover expenses>

: to place one's stake in equal jeopardy with in a bet

: to buy securities or commodities for delivery against (an earlier short sale)

: to record or perform a cover of (a song)

intransitive verb

: to conceal something illicit, blameworthy, or embarrassing from notice —usually used with up

: to act as a substitute or replacement during an absence

— cov·er·able \ˈkəv-rə-bəl, ˈkə-və-\ adjective

— co·ver·er \ˈkə-vər-ər\ 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>

See cover defined for English-language learners

See cover defined for kids

Origin of COVER

Middle English, from Anglo-French coverir, covrir, from Latin cooperire, from co- + operire to close, cover

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to COVER

Synonyms: fill in, pinch-hit, stand in, step in, sub, substitute, take over

Antonyms: bare, disclose, display, divulge, expose, reveal, show, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil

²cover

noun, often attributive

: something that is put around or on top of another thing especially to protect, hide, or close it

: a blanket or sheet on a bed

: the outer part of a book or magazine

Full Definition of COVER

: 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

: 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 covers>

h : something (as vegetation or snow) that covers the ground

i : the extent to which clouds obscure the sky

a : something that conceals or obscures <under cover of darkness>

b : a masking device : pretext <the project was a cover for intelligence operations>

: an envelope or wrapper for mail

: one who substitutes for another during an absence

: a recording or performance of a song previously recorded by another performer

— cov·er·less \ˈkə-vər-ləs\ adjective

— under cover

: in an envelope or wrapper

: under concealment : in secret

See cover defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of COVER

14th century

Related to COVER

Synonyms: cap, lid, top

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

Rhymes with COVER

hover, shover

COVERS Defined for Kids

¹cover

verb cov·er \ˈkə-vər\

cov·eredcov·er·ing

Definition of COVER for Kids

: to place or spread something over <Cover the pot.> <She covered her head with a cloth and said a special prayer … — Lois Lowry, Number the Stars>

: to be spread with or extend over much or all of the surface of <His face is covered with freckles.>

: to form a covering over <Snow covered the ground.>

: to pass over or through <The bikers covered 50 miles a day.>

: to provide protection to or against <Soldiers covered the landing with artillery.>

: to maintain a check on by patrolling <Police cover the highways.>

: to hide from sight or knowledge <I covered my embarrassment.>

: to deal with as a subject <The test will cover everything we've studied so far.>

: to have as a field of activity or interest <Our newspaper employs a reporter covering the courthouse.>

: to provide insurance for