cover definition

English cover definition

Etymology

From Middle English coveren, borrowed from Old French covrir, cueuvrir (modern French couvrir), from Late Latin coperire, from Latin cooperiō (“I cover completely”), from co- (intensive prefix) + operiō (“I close, cover”). Displaced native Middle English thecchen and bethecchen (“to cover”) (from Old English þeccan, beþeccan (“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)wrēon (“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”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkʌvɚ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkʌvə/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌvə(ɹ)

Noun

cover (countable and uncountable, plural covers)

1. A lid.

   • Lid definition

     The top or cover of a container. (1 of 9 lid definitions)
2. (uncountable) Area or situation which screens a person or thing from view.

   The soldiers took cover behind a ruined building.

   • View definition

     Visual perception.

     1. The act of seeing or looking at something. (1 of 15 view definitions)
3. The front and back of a book, magazine, CD package, etc.

   • Book definition

     A collection of sheets of paper bound together to hinge at one edge, containing printed or written material, pictures, etc. (1 of 14 book definitions)

   • Magazine definition

     A non-academic periodical publication, generally consisting of sheets of paper folded in half and stapled at the fold. (1 of 7 magazine definitions)

   • Compact Disc definition

     A kind of optical disc used to store audio or other data.

   • Package definition

     Something which is packed, a parcel, a box, an envelope. (1 of 10 package definitions)
4. The top sheet of a bed.

   • Sheet definition

     A thin bed cloth used as a covering for a mattress or as a layer over the sleeper. (1 of 13 sheet definitions)

   • Bed definition

     A piece of furniture, usually flat and soft, on which to rest or sleep. (1 of 26 bed definitions)
5. 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.

   • Car definition

     A wheeled vehicle that moves independently, with at least three wheels, powered mechanically, steered by a driver and mostly for personal transportation. (1 of 13 car definitions)

   • Sofa definition

     A raised area of a building's floor, usually covered with carpeting, used for sitting. (1 of 2 sofa definitions)
6. A cover charge.

   There's a $15 cover tonight.

   • Cover Charge definition

     An amount of money to be paid for entering a bar or restaurant where entertainment is provided. (1 of 2 cover charge definitions)
7. A setting at a restaurant table or formal dinner.
   • 1897, Winston Churchill, chapter 1, in The Celebrity‎^[1]:

     When I gave a dinner there was generally a cover laid for him. I liked the man for his own sake, and even had he promised to turn out a celebrity it would have had no weight with me.

   We need to set another cover for the Smith party.

   • Setting definition

     present participle of set

   • Restaurant definition

     An eating establishment in which diners are served food, usually by waiters at their tables but sometimes (as in a fast food restaurant) at a counter.

   • Dinner definition

     A midday meal . (1 of 6 dinner definitions)
8. (music) A new performance or rerecording of a previously recorded song; a cover version; a cover song.

   • Music definition

     A series of sounds organized in time, employing melody, harmony, tempo etc. usually to convey a mood. (1 of 7 music definitions)

   • Rerecording definition

     present participle of rerecord

   • Cover Version definition

     A version of a song that is a new performance or rerecording of that song by a different artist.

   • Cover Song definition

     cover version
9. (cricket) A fielding position on the off side, between point and mid off, about 30° forward of square; a fielder in this position.

   • Cricket definition

     An insect in the order Orthoptera, especially family Gryllidae, that makes a chirping sound by rubbing its wing casings against combs on its hind legs.

     1. In the form crickets: absolute silence; no communication.

     (1 of 5 cricket definitions)

   • Fielding definition

     present participle of field

   • Position definition

     A place or location. (1 of 11 position definitions)

   • Off definition

     In a direction away from the speaker or object. (1 of 5 off definitions)

   • Point definition

     A discrete division of something.

     1. An individual element in a larger whole; a particular detail, thought, or quality. (1 of 56 point definitions)

   • Mid Off definition

     a fielding position, about 70° forward of square on the off side, between cover and the bowler's wicket; a fielder at this position

   • Forward definition

     Toward the front or at the front. (1 of 5 forward definitions)

   • Square definition

     A polygon with four sides of equal length and four right angles; an equilateral rectangle; a regular quadrilateral. (1 of 26 square definitions)

   • Fielder definition

     A player of the fielding side, whose task is to gather the ball after the batsman has hit it, to catch the batsman out, or to prevent him from scoring. (1 of 4 fielder definitions)
10. (topology) A set (more often known as a family) of sets, whose union contains the given set.

    The open intervals are a cover for the real numbers.

    • Topology definition

      A branch of mathematics studying those properties of a geometric figure or solid that are not changed by stretching, bending and similar homeomorphisms. (1 of 7 topology definitions)

    • Family definition

      A group of people who are closely related to one another (by blood, marriage or adoption); kin; for example, a set of parents and their children; an immediate family. (1 of 10 family definitions)
11. (philately) An envelope complete with stamps and postmarks etc.

    • Philately definition

      Stamp collecting. (1 of 2 philately definitions)

    • Envelope definition

      A paper or cardboard wrapper used to enclose small, flat items, especially letters, for mailing. (1 of 11 envelope definitions)

    • Stamp definition

      An act of stamping the foot, paw or hoof. (1 of 9 stamp definitions)

    • Postmark definition

      A marking made by a postal service on a letter, package, postcard or the like, usually indicating the place where and the date and time when the item was received or processed for the first time, and often serving to cancel a postage stamp.
12. (military) A solid object, including terrain, that provides protection from enemy fire.

    • Military definition

      Characteristic of members of the armed forces. (1 of 4 military definitions)

    • Solid definition

      That can be picked up or held, having a texture, and usually firm. Unlike a liquid or a gas. (1 of 15 solid definitions)

    • Object definition

      A thing that has physical existence. (1 of 7 object definitions)

    • Terrain definition

      A single, distinctive rock formation; an area having a preponderance of a particular rock or group of rocks. (1 of 2 terrain definitions)

    • Protection definition

      The process of keeping (something or someone) safe. (1 of 9 protection definitions)

    • Enemy definition

      Someone who is hostile to, feels hatred towards, opposes the interests of, or intends injury to someone else. (1 of 4 enemy definitions)
13. (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.

    • Law definition

      The body of binding rules and regulations, customs, and standards established in a community by its legislative and judicial authorities. (1 of 19 law definitions)

    • Purchase definition

      The acquisition of title to, or property in, anything for a price; buying for money or its equivalent. (1 of 9 purchase definitions)

    • Goods definition

      plural of good

    • Breach definition

      A gap or opening made by breaking or battering, as in a wall, fortification or levee / embankment; the space between the parts of a solid body rent by violence (1 of 9 breach definitions)

    • Contract definition

      An agreement between two or more parties, to perform a specific job or work order, often temporary or of fixed duration and usually governed by a written agreement. (1 of 5 contract definitions)
14. (insurance) An insurance contract; coverage by an insurance contract.

    • Insurance definition

      A means of indemnity against a future occurrence of an uncertain event. (1 of 5 insurance definitions)

    • Coverage definition

      An amount by which something or someone is covered. (1 of 7 coverage definitions)
15. (espionage) A persona maintained by a spy or undercover operative; cover story.

    • Espionage definition

      The act or process of learning secret information through clandestine means.

    • Persona definition

      A social role. (1 of 4 persona definitions)

    • Cover Story definition

      A story included in a publication that is highlighted on the front cover. (1 of 2 cover story definitions)
16. (dated) A swindler's confederate.

    • Swindler definition

      A person who swindles, cheats or defrauds.

    • Confederate definition

      A member of a confederacy. (1 of 3 confederate definitions)
17. The portion of a slate, tile, or shingle that is hidden by the overlap of the course above.

    (Can we find and add a quotation of Knight to this entry?)

    • Overlap definition

      To extend over and partly cover something. (1 of 4 overlap definitions)

    • Course definition

      A sequence of events. (1 of 23 course definitions)
18. In a steam engine, the lap of a slide valve.

    • Steam Engine definition

      A piston engine driven by steam (as contrasted, for example, with a steam turbine). (1 of 3 steam engine definitions)

    • Lap definition

      The loose part of a coat; the lower part of a garment that plays loosely; a skirt; an apron. (1 of 7 lap definitions)

    • Slide Valve definition

      A valve in a steam engine, designed to slide back and forth to cover and uncover the openings through which steam enters the cylinder.
19. (construction) The distance between reinforcing steel and the exterior of concrete.

    • Construction definition

      The process of constructing. (1 of 10 construction definitions)

    • Reinforcing definition

      Used to reinforce.

    • Steel definition

      An artificial metal produced from iron, harder and more elastic than elemental iron; used figuratively as a symbol of hardness. (1 of 17 steel definitions)

    • Concrete definition

      Real, actual, tangible. (1 of 5 concrete definitions)

Derived terms

Descendants

• → Hijazi Arabic: كَڤَر‎ (kavar)

Translations

Adjective

cover (not comparable)

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

Translations

Verb

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

1. (transitive) To place something over or upon, as to conceal or protect.

   He covered the baby with a blanket.

   When the pot comes to a boil, cover it and reduce the heat to medium.

   • Place definition

     An area; somewhere within an area.

     1. An open space, particularly a city square, market square, or courtyard.
     2. A street, sometimes but not always surrounding a public place, square, or plaza of the same name. (1 of 25 place definitions)

   • Over definition

     Discontinued; ended or concluded.

   • Upon definition

     Physically above and in contact with. (1 of 5 upon definitions)

   • Conceal definition

     To hide something from view or from public knowledge, to try to keep something secret.

   • Protect definition

     To keep safe; to defend; to guard; to prevent harm coming to. (1 of 2 protect definitions)
2. (transitive) To be over or upon, as to conceal or protect.

   The blanket covered the baby.

   • 1913, Mrs. [Marie] Belloc Lowndes, chapter I, in The Lodger, London: Methuen, OCLC 7780546; republished in Novels of Mystery: The Lodger; The Story of Ivy; What Really Happened, New York, N.Y.: Longmans, Green and Co., […], [1933], OCLC 2666860, page 0016:

     A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire.

   • 2013 May-June, Charles T. Ambrose, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 200:

     Similar studies of rats have employed four different intracranial resorbable, slow sustained release systems— […]. Such a slow-release device containing angiogenic factors could be placed on the pia mater covering the cerebral cortex and tested in persons with senile dementia in long term studies.

3. (transitive) To be upon all of, so as to completely conceal.

   Regular hexagons can cover the plane.

4. (transitive) To set upon all of, so as to completely conceal.

   You can cover the plane with regular hexagons.

5. (intransitive, dated) To put on one's hat.
   • 1904, Rawdon Lubbock Brown, Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts:

     All the while he held his hat in his hand; and even until he had given his answer, when he covered and bade us be.

   • Hat definition

     A covering for the head, often in the approximate form of a cone or a cylinder closed at its top end, and sometimes having a brim and other decoration. (1 of 9 hat definitions)
6. (transitive) To invest (oneself with something); to bring upon (oneself).

   The heroic soldier covered himself with glory.

   • 1842, Henry Brougham, Political Philosophy

     the powers that covered themselves with everlasting infamy by the partition of Poland

7. (of a publication) To discuss thoroughly; to provide coverage of.

   The magazine covers such diverse topics as politics, news from the world of science, and the economy.

   • Discuss definition

     To converse or debate concerning a particular topic. (1 of 6 discuss definitions)

   • Thoroughly definition

     In a thorough or complete manner.
8. To deal with or include someone or something.
   • 2010 (publication date), "Contributors", Discover, ISSN 0274-7529, volume 32, number 1, January–February 2011, page 7:

     Richard Morgan covers science for The Economist, The New York Times, Scientific American, and Wired.

   • Deal With definition

     To handle verbally or in some form of artistic expression; to address or discuss as a subject. (1 of 6 deal with definitions)

   • Include definition

     To bring into a group, class, set, or total as a (new) part or member. (1 of 5 include definitions)
9. To be enough money for.

   We've earned enough to cover most of our costs.

   Ten dollars should cover lunch.

   • Enough definition

     Sufficient; all that is required, needed, or appropriate.

   • Money definition

     A legally or socially binding conceptual contract of entitlement to wealth, void of intrinsic value, payable for all debts and taxes, and regulated in supply. (1 of 8 money definitions)
10. (intransitive) To act as a replacement.

    I need to take off Tuesday. Can you cover for me?

11. (transitive) To have as an assignment or responsibility.

    Can you cover the morning shift tomorrow? I'll give you off next Monday instead.

    He is our salesman covering companies with headquarters in the northern provinces.

12. (music) To make a cover version of (a song that was originally recorded by another artist).
13. (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.

    • Law Enforcement definition

      The task of ensuring obedience to law. (1 of 2 law enforcement definitions)
14. To provide insurance coverage for.

    Does my policy cover accidental loss?

15. To copulate with (said of certain male animals such as dogs and horses).
    • 1927, Havelock Ellis, Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 2 (of 6)‎^[2]:

      Among animals in a domesticated or confined state it is easy to find evidence of homosexual attraction, due merely to the absence of the other sex. This was known to the ancients; the Egyptians regarded two male partridges as the symbol of homosexuality, and Aristotle noted that two female pigeons would cover each other if no male was at hand.

    I would like to have my bitch covered next spring.

    The stallion has not covered the mare yet.

    Synonym: impregnate

    • Copulate definition

      To engage in sexual intercourse.

    • Impregnate definition

      To cause to become pregnant. (1 of 5 impregnate definitions)
16. (chess, transitive) To protect or control (a piece or square).

    In order to checkmate a king on the side of the board, the five squares adjacent to the king must all be covered.

    • Chess definition

      A board game for two players with each beginning with sixteen chess pieces moving according to fixed rules across a chessboard with the objective to checkmate the opposing king.

    • Control definition

      To exercise influence over; to suggest or dictate the behavior of. (1 of 5 control definitions)
17. To extend over a given period of time or range, to occupy, to stretch over a given area.
18. (sports) To defend a particular player or area.

    • Sports definition

      plural of sport

    • Defend definition

      To ward off attacks against; to fight to protect; to guard. (1 of 9 defend definitions)

Quotations

• For quotations using this term, see Citations:cover.

Derived terms

Descendants

• German: covern
• Danish: lave en cover

Translations

Anagrams

• corve

Dutch cover definition

Etymology

Borrowed from English cover.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɑ.vər/, /ˈkɔ.vər/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: co‧ver

Noun

cover m (plural covers, diminutive covertje n)

1. A cover, cover song, cover version (rerecording of a previously recorded song, typically by a different artist).

   • Cover definition

     A lid. (1 of 19 cover definitions)
2. A cover, the front of a magazine or of the package of a storage medium.

   • Storage Medium definition

     Any hardware (such as disks or tape) used to store data

Derived terms

• coveren
• coverversie

Finnish cover definition

Etymology

From English cover.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkoʋer/, [ˈko̞ʋe̞r]

Noun

cover

1. cover, cover version, cover song (rerecording of a previously recorded song)

Declension

Synonyms

• koveri, coverversio

French cover definition

Etymology

From English cover.

Noun

cover m (plural covers)

1. (colloquial) cover (rerecording)

German cover definition

Verb

cover

1. inflection of covern:
   1. first-person singular present
   2. singular imperative

   • Covern definition

     to cover

Polish cover definition

Etymology

From English cover.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈka.vɛr/

Noun

cover m inan

1. (music) cover version (rerecording of a song)

Declension

Further reading

• cover in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• cover in Polish dictionaries at PWN

Portuguese cover definition

Etymology

From English cover.

Noun

cover m or f (rare) (plural coveres)

1. (music) cover version (rerecording of a song by another musician or group)

   Synonym: versão cover

   • Versão Cover definition

     cover version (rerecording of a song by another musician or group)

Spanish cover definition

Etymology

From English cover.

Noun

cover m (plural covers)

1. cover, cover version

Swedish cover definition

Etymology

From English cover.

Noun

cover c

1. (music) cover, cover song

Usage notes

The plural of this word could also be covers.

Declension

Derived terms

• coverband

References

• cover in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)