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Definition cover

Etymology

From Middle English coveren, borrowed from Old French covrir, cueuvrir (modern French couvrir), from Late Latin coperire, from Latin cooperi? (�I cover completely�), from co- (intensive prefix) + operi? (�I close, cover�). Displaced native Middle English thecchen and bethecchen (�to cover�) (from Old English �eccan, be�eccan (�to cover�)), Middle English helen, (over)helen, (for)helen (�to cover, conceal�) (from Old English helan (�to conceal, cover, hide�)), Middle English wrien, (be)wreon (�to cover�) (from Old English (be)wr?on (�to cover�)), Middle English hodren, hothren (�to cover up�) (from Low German hudren (�to cover up�)).

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the original sense of the verb and noun cover was �hide from view� as in its cognate covert. Except in the limited sense of �cover again,� the word recover is unrelated and is cognate with recuperate. Cognate with Spanish cubrir (�to cover�).

Noun

cover (countable and uncountable, plural covers)

A lid.
(uncountable) Area or situation which screens a person or thing from view.
The front and back of a book, magazine, CD package, etc.
The top sheet of a bed.
A cloth, usually fitted, placed over an item such as a car or sofa to protect it from dust, rain, etc. when not in use.
A cover charge.
A setting at a restaurant table or formal dinner.
(music) A new performance or rerecording of a previously recorded song; a cover version; a cover song.
(cricket) A fielding position on the off side, between point and mid off, about 30� forward of square; a fielder in this position.
(topology) A set (more often known as a family) of sets, whose union contains the given set.
(philately) An envelope complete with stamps and postmarks etc.
(military) A solid object, including terrain, that provides protection from enemy fire.
(law) In commercial law, a buyer�s purchase on the open market of goods similar or identical to the goods contracted for after a seller has breached a contract of sale by failure to deliver the goods contracted for.
(insurance) An insurance contract; coverage by an insurance contract.
(espionage) A persona maintained by a spy or undercover operative; cover story.
(dated) A swindler's confederate.
The portion of a slate, tile, or shingle that is hidden by the overlap of the course above.
In a steam engine, the lap of a slide valve.
(construction) The distance between reinforcing steel and the exterior of concrete.

Adjective

cover (not comparable)

Of or pertaining to the front cover of a book or magazine.
(music) Of, pertaining to, or consisting of cover versions.

Verb

cover (third-person singular simple present covers, present participle covering, simple past and past participle covered)

(transitive) To place something over or upon, as to conceal or protect.
(transitive) To be over or upon, as to conceal or protect.
(transitive) To be upon all of, so as to completely conceal.
(transitive) To set upon all of, so as to completely conceal.
(intransitive, dated) To put on one's hat.
(transitive) To invest (oneself with something); to bring upon (oneself).
(of a publication) To discuss thoroughly; to provide coverage of.
To deal with or include someone or something.
To be enough money for.
(intransitive) To act as a replacement.
(transitive) To have as an assignment or responsibility.
(music) To make a cover version of (a song that was originally recorded by another artist).
(military, law enforcement) To protect using an aimed firearm and the threat of firing; or to protect using continuous, heaving fire at or in the direction of the enemy so as to force the enemy to remain in cover; or to threaten using an aimed firearm.
To provide insurance coverage for.
To copulate with (said of certain male animals such as dogs and horses).
(chess, transitive) To protect or control (a piece or square).
To extend over a given period of time or range, to occupy, to stretch over a given area.
(sports) To defend a particular player or area.