a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something; a screen of trees afforded privacy; under cover of darkness; the brush provided a covert for game; the simplest concealment is to match perfectly the color of the background
[ Syn: screen , covert , concealment ]
a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent); her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment'
bedding that keeps a person warm in bed; he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep
[ Syn: blanket ]
the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it; the cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft
the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book; the book had a leather binding
[ Syn: binding , book binding , back ]
a natural object that covers or envelops; under a covering of dust; the fox was flushed from its cover
[ Syn: covering , natural covering ]
covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container); he removed the top of the carton; he couldnt get the top off of the bottle; put the cover back on the kettle
[ Syn: top ]
fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations; artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal
[ Syn: covering fire ]
a fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink
[ Syn: cover charge ]
a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else; they made a cover of a Beatles song
[ Syn: cover version , cover song ]
cover (n.)
provide with a covering or cause to be covered; cover her face with a handkerchief; cover the child with a blanket; cover the grave with flowers'
to take an action to protect against future problems; Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself'
hide from view or knowledge; The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House
[ Syn: cover up ]
protect or defend (a position in a game); he covered left field'
maintain a check on; especially by patrolling; The second officer covered the top floor'
protect by insurance; The insurance wont cover this
[ Syn: insure , underwrite ]
make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities; he is compensating for being a bad father
[ Syn: compensate , overcompensate ]
invest with a large or excessive amount of something; She covered herself with glory'
help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities; She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week'
be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of; Is this enough to cover the check?'
spread over a surface to conceal or protect; This paint covers well'
form a cover over; The grass covered the grave
[ Syn: spread over ]
cover as if with a shroud; The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery
copulate with a female, used especially of horses; The horse covers the mare
[ Syn: breed ]
put something on top of something else; cover the meat with a lot of gravy
[ Syn: overlay ]
play a higher card than the one previously played; Smith covered again'
be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game
sit on (eggs); Birds brood; The female covers the eggs
clothe, as if for protection from the elements; cover your head!
[ Syn: wrap up ]
span an interval of distance, space or time; The war extended over five years; The period covered the turn of the century; My land extends over the hills on the horizon; This farm covers some 200 acres; The Archipelago continues for another 500 miles
provide for; The grant doesn't cover my salary'
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression; This book deals with incest; The course covered all of Western Civilization; The new book treats the history of China
include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as ones sphere or territory; This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds; this should cover everyone in the group
[ Syn: embrace , encompass , comprehend ]
travel across or pass over; The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day
[ Syn: traverse , track , cross , pass over , get over , get across , cut through , cut across ]
be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism; Snow reported on China in the 1950s; The cub reporter covered New York City
[ Syn: report ]
hold within range of an aimed firearm