cover

Meanings

Noun

Adjective

  • Of or pertaining to the front cover of a book or magazine.
  • Of, pertaining to, or consisting of cover versions.

Verb

  • To place something over or upon, as to conceal or protect.
  • To be over or upon, as to conceal or protect.
  • To be upon all of, so as to completely conceal.
  • To set upon all of, so as to completely conceal.
  • To put on one's hat.
  • To invest (oneself with something); to bring upon (oneself).
  • To discuss thoroughly; to provide coverage of.
  • To deal with or include someone or something.
  • To be enough money for.
  • To act as a replacement.
  • To have as an assignment or responsibility.
  • To make a cover version of (a song that was originally recorded by another artist).
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • To traverse or put behind a certain distance.
  • To defend a particular player or area.

Origin

  • From Middle English coveren, borrowed from Old French covrir (modern French couvrir), from Late Latin coperire, from Latin cooperiō, from co- + operiō. Displaced native Middle English thecchen and bithecchen (from Old English þeccan, beþeccan), Middle English helen (from Old English helan), Middle English wreon (from Old English wreon), Middle English hodren (from Low German hudren).
  • 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").

Modern English dictionary

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