cover
verb
cov·er
| \ ˈkə-vər
\
\
covered;
covering\ ˈkəv-riŋ
, ˈkə-və- \
, ˈkə-və- \
Definition of cover
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: to guard from attack
b(1)
: to have within the range of one's guns : command
The ships were covering approaches to the harbor.
(2)
: to hold within range of an aimed firearm
The deputy covered the sheriff who was apprehending the suspect.
c(1)
: to afford protection or security to : insure
a policy covering the traveler in all kinds of accidents
(2)
: to afford protection against or compensation (see compensation sense 2) 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
motorcycle police covering the highways
(3)
: to protect by contrivance or expedient
2a
: 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 seedbed with straw.
4a
: 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.
6a
: 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
11a
: 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
Tthe 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)
1
: to conceal something illicit, blameworthy, or embarrassing from notice
—usually used with up cover up for a careless coworker
2
: to act as a substitute or replacement during an absence
a stand-in covering for an injured star
cover one's tracks
cover the ground
or cover ground
: to conceal traces in order to elude pursuers or escape detection
: to deal with a subject or assignment in a particular manner
The new book covers a lot of ground.
Definition of cover (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: something that protects, shelters, or guards: such 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
2
: something that is placed over or about another thing:
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 (such as vegetation or snow) that covers the ground
i
: the extent to which clouds obscure the sky
3a
: something that conceals or obscures
under cover of darkness
b
: a masking device : pretext
The project was a cover for intelligence operations.
4
: an envelope or wrapper for mail
5
: one who substitutes for another during an absence
6
: a recording or performance of a song previously recorded by another performer
under cover
1
: in an envelope or wrapper
2
: under concealment : in secret
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