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Entry 17 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Cover

/(k?v"?r)/ · Cov·er · IPA /ˈkʌvɚ/
01 v. t. To overspread the surface of (one thing) with another; as, to cover wood with paint or lacquer; to cover a table with a cloth.
imp. & p. p. Covered; p. pr. & vb. n. Covering
  1. 1.
    To overspread the surface of (one thing) with another; as, to cover wood with paint or lacquer; to cover a table with a cloth.
  2. 2.
    To envelop; to clothe, as with a mantle or cloak.
    “And with the majesty of darkness round Covers his throne.” — Milton.
    “All that beauty than doth cover thee.” — Shak.
  3. 3.
    To invest (one's self with something); to bring upon (one's self); as, he covered himself with glory.
    “The powers that covered themselves with everlasting infamy by the partition of Poland.” — Brougham.
  4. 4.
    To hide sight; to conceal; to cloak; as, the enemy were covered from our sight by the woods.
    “A cloud covered the mount.” — Exod. xxiv. 15.
    “In vain shou striv'st to cover shame with shame.” — Milton.
  5. 5.
    To brood or sit on; to incubate.
    “While the hen is covering her eggs, the male . . . diverts her with his songs.” — Addison.
    “The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen.” — Ex. xiv. 28.
  6. 6.
    To shelter, as from evil or danger; to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat.
    “His calm and blameless life Does with substantial blessedness abound, And the soft wings of peace cover him round.” — Cowley.
  7. 7.
    To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit.
  8. 8.
    To extend over; to be sufficient for; to comprehend, include, or embrace; to account for or solve; to counterbalance; as, a mortgage which fully covers a sum loaned on it; a law which covers all possible cases of a crime; receipts than do not cover expenses.
  9. 9.
    To put the usual covering or headdress on.
    “Cover thy head . . . ; nay, prithee, be covered.” — Shak.
  10. 10.
    To copulate with (a female); to serve; as, a horse covers a mare; -- said of the male.
Phrases & compounds
To cover ground — to pass over; as, the rider covered the ground in an hour.
To cover one's short contracts — to buy stock when the market rises, as a dealer who has sold short does in order to protect himself.
Covering party — a detachment of troops sent for the protection of another detachment, as of men working in the trenches.
To cover into — to transfer to; as, to cover into the treasury.
Syn. To shelter; screen; shield; hide; overspread.
02 n. Anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book.
  1. 1.
    Anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book.
  2. 2.
    Anything which veils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloak.
    “A handsome cover for imperfections.” — Collier.
  3. 3.
    Shelter; protection; as, the troops fought under cover of the batteries; the woods afforded a good cover.
    “Being compelled to lodge in the field . . . whilst his army was under cover, they might be forced to retire.” — Clarendon.
  4. 4.
    The woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover.(Hunting)
  5. 5.
    The lap of a slide valve.(Steam Engine)
  6. 6.
    A tablecloth, and the other table furniture; esp., the table furniture for the use of one person at a meal; as, covers were laid for fifty guests.
    “Letters . . . dispatched under cover to her ladyship.” — Thackeray.
Phrases & compounds
To break cover — to start from a covert or lair; -- said of game.
Under cover — in an envelope, or within a letter; -- said of a written message.
03 v. i. To spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet.
  1. 1.
    To spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet.[Obs.]