cover

¹cov·er

verb \ˈkə-vər\

cov·eredcov·er·ing\ˈkəv-riŋ, ˈkə-və-\

Definition of COVER

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 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

2

a : to hide from sight or knowledge : conceal <cover up a scandal> b : to lie over : envelop <a blanket covering her legs>

3

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

4

a : to spread over <snow covered the hills> b : to appear here and there on the surface of <a region covered 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 covers a mare> b : to sit on and incubate (eggs)

7

: to invest with a large or excessive amount of something <covered 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 covering a full year's work>

10

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

11

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>

12

: to pass over : traverse <the hikers covered 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 \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>

Examples of COVER

1. The gardener covered the soil with mulch.
2. The furniture had been covered in a protective cloth.
3. We covered the stains on the wall with a fresh coat of paint.
4. You should cover your mouth when you cough.
5. She covered her head with a scarf.
6. tables covered with white linen
7. Lakes cover much of the state.
8. The hikers covered long distances every day.
9. The bird may cover thousands of miles during its migration.

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

Related Words: understudy; relieve, spell; double (as)

Near Antonyms: bare, expose, uncover

see all synonyms and antonyms

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