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12 dictionary results for: cover
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
cov·er       [kuhv-er] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object)
1.to be or serve as a covering for; extend over; rest on the surface of: Snow covered the fields.
2.to place something over or upon, as for protection, concealment, or warmth.
3.to provide with a covering or top: Cover the pot with a lid.
4.to protect or conceal (the body, head, etc.) with clothes, a hat, etc; wrap.
5.to bring upon (oneself): He covered himself with glory by his exploits.
6.to hide from view; screen.
7.to spread on or over; apply to: to cover bread with honey.
8.to put all over the surface of: to cover a wall with paint.
9.to include, deal with, or provide for; address: The rules cover working conditions.
10.to suffice to defray or meet (a charge, expense, etc.): Ten dollars should cover my expenses.
11.to offset (an outlay, loss, liability, etc.).
12.to achieve in distance traversed; pass or travel over: We covered 600 miles a day on our trip.
13.Journalism.
a.to act as a reporter or reviewer of (an event, a field of interest, a performance, etc.); have as an assignment: She covers sports for the paper.
b.to publish or broadcast a report or reports of (a news item, a series of related events, etc.): The press covered the trial in great detail.
14.to pass or rise over and surmount or envelop: The river covered the town during the flood.
15.Insurance. to insure against risk or loss.
16.to shelter; protect; serve as a defense for.
17.Military.
a.to be in line with by occupying a position directly before or behind.
b.to protect (a soldier, force, or military position) during an expected period of ground combat by taking a position from which any hostile troops can be fired upon.
18.to take temporary charge of or responsibility for in place of another: Please cover my phone while I'm out to lunch.
19.to extend over; comprise: The book covers 18th-century England.
20.to be assigned to or responsible for, as a territory or field of endeavor: We have two sales representatives covering the Southwest.
21.to aim at, as with a pistol.
22.to have within range, as a fortress does adjacent territory.
23.to play a card higher than (the one led or previously played in the round).
24.to deposit the equivalent of (money deposited), as in wagering.
25.to accept the conditions of (a bet, wager, etc.).
26.(in short selling) to purchase securities or commodities in order to deliver them to the broker from whom they were borrowed.
27.Baseball. to take a position close to or at (a base) so as to catch a ball thrown to the base: The shortstop covered second on the attempted steal.
28.Sports. to guard (an opponent on offense) so as to prevent him or her from scoring or carrying out his or her assignment: to cover a potential pass receiver.
29.(esp. of a male animal) to copulate with.
30.(of a hen) to brood or sit on (eggs or chicks).
–verb (used without object)
31.Informal. to serve as a substitute for someone who is absent: We cover for the receptionist during lunch hour.
32.to hide the wrongful or embarrassing action of another by providing an alibi or acting in the other's place: They covered for him when he missed roll call.
33.to play a card higher than the one led or previously played in the round: She led the eight and I covered with the jack.
34.to spread over an area or surface, esp. for the purpose of obscuring an existing covering or of achieving a desired thickness and evenness: This paint is much too thin to cover.
–noun
35.something that covers, as the lid of a container or the binding of a book.
36.a blanket, quilt, or the like: Put another cover on the bed.
37.protection; shelter; concealment.
38.anything that veils, screens, or shuts from sight: under cover of darkness.
39.woods, underbrush, etc., serving to shelter and conceal wild animals or game; a covert.
40.Ecology. vegetation that serves to protect or conceal animals, such as birds, from excessive sunlight, from drying, or from predators.
41.a set of eating utensils and the like, as plate, knife, fork, and napkin, placed for each person at a table.
42.an assumed identity, occupation, or business that masks the true or real one: His job at the embassy was a cover for his work as a spy.
43.a covering of snow, esp. when suitable for skiing.
44.a pretense; feigning.
45.a person who substitutes for another or stands ready to substitute if needed: She was hired as a cover for six roles at the opera house.
46.cover charge.
47.Philately.
a.an envelope or outer wrapping for mail.
b.a letter folded so that the address may be placed on the outside and the missive mailed.
48.Finance. funds to cover liability or secure against risk of loss.
49.Music. cover version.
50.Also called covering. Mathematics. a collection of sets having the property that a given set is contained in the union of the sets in the collection.
—Verb phrase
51.cover up,
a.to cover completely; enfold.
b.to keep secret; conceal: She tried to cover up her part in the plot.
—Idioms
52.blow one's cover, to divulge one's secret identity, esp. inadvertently: The TV news story blew his carefully fabricated cover.
53.break cover, to emerge, esp. suddenly, from a place of concealment: The fox broke cover and the chase was on.
54.cover one's ass, Slang: Vulgar. to take measures that will prevent one from suffering blame, loss, harm, etc.
55.take cover, to seek shelter or safety: The hikers took cover in a deserted cabin to escape the sudden storm.
56.under cover,
a.clandestinely; secretly: Arrangements for the escape were made under cover.
b.within an envelope: The report will be mailed to you under separate cover.
[Origin: 1200–50; ME coveren < OF covrir < L cooperīre to cover completely, equiv. to co- co- + operīre to shut, close, cover (op-, appar. for ob- ob- + -erīre; see aperient)]

—Related forms
cov·er·a·ble, adjective
cov·er·er, noun
cov·er·less, adjective

—Synonyms 2. overlay, overspread, envelop, enwrap. 6. cloak, conceal. 11. counterbalance, compensate for. 37, 38. Cover, protection, screen, shelter mean a defense against harm or danger and a provision for safety. The main idea in cover is that of concealment, as in darkness, in a wood, or behind something: The ground troops were left without cover when the air force was withdrawn. Screen refers especially to something behind which one can hide: A heavy fire formed a screen for ground operations. Protection and shelter emphasize the idea of a guard or defense, a shield against injury or death. A protection is any such shield: In World War II, an air cover of airplanes served as a protection for troops. A shelter is something that covers over and acts as a place of refuge: An abandoned monastery acted as a shelter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cov·er       (kŭv'ər)  Pronunciation Key 
v.   cov·ered, cov·er·ing, cov·ers

v.   tr.
  1. To place something upon or over, so as to protect or conceal.
  2. To overlay or spread with something: cover potatoes with gravy.
    1. To put a cover or covering on.
    2. To wrap up; clothe.
    3. To spread over the surface of: Dust covered the table. Snow covered the ground.
    4. To extend over: a farm covering more than 100 acres.
    5. To copulate with (a female). Used especially of horses.
    6. To sit on in order to hatch.
    7. To protect or shield from harm, loss, or danger.
    8. To protect by insurance: took out a new policy that will cover all our camera equipment.
    9. To compensate or make up for.
    10. To have as one's territory or sphere of work.
    11. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.
    12. To guard (an opponent playing offense).
    13. To defend (a position or area): cover third base; cover the backcourt.
  4. To invest (oneself) with a great deal of something: covered themselves with glory.
    1. To spread over the surface of: Dust covered the table. Snow covered the ground.
    2. To extend over: a farm covering more than 100 acres.
    3. To copulate with (a female). Used especially of horses.
    4. To sit on in order to hatch.
    5. To protect or shield from harm, loss, or danger.
    6. To protect by insurance: took out a new policy that will cover all our camera equipment.
    7. To compensate or make up for.
    8. To have as one's territory or sphere of work.
    9. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.
    10. To guard (an opponent playing offense).
    11. To defend (a position or area): cover third base; cover the backcourt.
    1. To copulate with (a female). Used especially of horses.
    2. To sit on in order to hatch.
    3. To protect or shield from harm, loss, or danger.
    4. To protect by insurance: took out a new policy that will cover all our camera equipment.
    5. To compensate or make up for.
    6. To have as one's territory or sphere of work.
    7. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.
    8. To guard (an opponent playing offense).
    9. To defend (a position or area): cover third base; cover the backcourt.
  7. To hide or screen from view or knowledge; conceal: covered up his misdemeanors.
    1. To protect or shield from harm, loss, or danger.
    2. To protect by insurance: took out a new policy that will cover all our camera equipment.
    3. To compensate or make up for.
    4. To have as one's territory or sphere of work.
    5. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.
    6. To guard (an opponent playing offense).
    7. To defend (a position or area): cover third base; cover the backcourt.
  9. To be sufficient to defray, meet, or offset the cost or charge of: had enough funds to cover her check.
  10. To make provision for; take into account: The law does not cover all crimes.
  11. To deal with; treat of: The book covers the feminist movement.
  12. To travel or pass over; traverse: They covered 60 miles in two days.
    1. To have as one's territory or sphere of work.
    2. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.
    3. To guard (an opponent playing offense).
    4. To defend (a position or area): cover third base; cover the backcourt.
  14. To hold within the range and aim of a weapon, such as a firearm.
  15. To protect, as from enemy attack, by occupying a strategic position.
  16. Sports
    1. To guard (an opponent playing offense).
    2. To defend (a position or area): cover third base; cover the backcourt.
  17. To match (an opponent's stake) in a wager.
  18. To purchase (stock that one has shorted).
  19. Games To play a higher-ranking card than (the one previously played).
  20. Music To record a cover version of (a song).
  21. Obsolete To pardon or remit.

v.   intr.
  1. To spread over a surface to protect or conceal something: a paint that covers well.
  2. To act as a substitute or replacement during someone's absence: Her assistant covered for her.
  3. To hide something in order to save someone from censure or punishment: cover up for a colleague.
  4. Games To play a higher card than the one previously played.

n.  
  1. Something that covers or is laid, placed, or spread over or upon something else, as:
    1. A lid or top.
    2. A binding or enclosure for a book or magazine.
    3. A bedcover.
    4. A protective overlay, as for a mattress or furniture.
    5. Something that provides shelter.
    6. Strategic protection given by armed units during hostile action: The battleship approached the combat zone under a cover of fighter planes.
    7. Something, such as vegetation, covering the surface of the ground.
    8. Vegetation, such as underbrush, serving as protective concealment for wild animals.
    9. Something, such as darkness, that screens, conceals, or disguises. See Synonyms at shelter.
    10. A false background and identity, especially for a spy.
    1. Something that provides shelter.
    2. Strategic protection given by armed units during hostile action: The battleship approached the combat zone under a cover of fighter planes.
    3. Something, such as vegetation, covering the surface of the ground.
    4. Vegetation, such as underbrush, serving as protective concealment for wild animals.
    5. Something, such as darkness, that screens, conceals, or disguises. See Synonyms at shelter.
    6. A false background and identity, especially for a spy.
    1. Something, such as vegetation, covering the surface of the ground.
    2. Vegetation, such as underbrush, serving as protective concealment for wild animals.
    3. Something, such as darkness, that screens, conceals, or disguises. See Synonyms at shelter.
    4. A false background and identity, especially for a spy.
  4. A layer of clouds obscuring the sky or ground.
    1. Something, such as darkness, that screens, conceals, or disguises. See Synonyms at shelter.
    2. A false background and identity, especially for a spy.
  6. A table setting for one person: Covers were laid for ten.
  7. A cover charge.
  8. An envelope or wrapper for mail.
  9. Funds sufficient to meet an obligation or secure against loss.
  10. One who substitutes for another.
  11. Music A cover version.


[Middle English coveren, from Old French covrir, from Latin cooperīre, to cover completely : co-, intensive pref.; see co- + operīre, to cover; see wer-4 in Indo-European roots.]

cov'er·a·ble adj., cov'er·er n., cov'er·less adj.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cover 
c.1150, from O.Fr. covrir, from L.L. coperire, from L. cooperire "to cover over," from com- intens. prefix + operire "to close, cover" (see weir). Military sense is from 1687; newspaper sense first recorded 1893; use in football dates from 1907. Betting sense is 1857. As a euphemism for "copulation of horses" it dates from 1535. Meaning "recording of a song already recorded by another" is 1966. Cover-up is from 1927. Cover girl is U.S. slang from 1915, shortening of magazine-cover girl.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
cover

noun
1. 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] 
2. bedding that keeps a person warm in bed; "he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep" [syn: blanket] 
3. the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it; "the cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft" 
4. the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book; "the book had a leather binding" [syn: binding] 
5. a natural object that covers or envelops; "under a covering of dust"; "the fox was flushed from its cover" [syn: covering] 
6. covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container); "he removed the top of the carton"; "he couldn't get the top off of the bottle"; "put the cover back on the kettle" [syn: top] 
7. fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations; "artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal" 
8. a fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink [syn: cover charge] 
9. a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else; "they made a cover of a Beatles' song" 
10. a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent); "her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment" 

verb
1. 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" [ant: expose] 
2. form a cover over; "The grass covered the grave" 
3. 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" 
4. provide for; "The grant doesn't cover my salary" 
5. 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" 
6. include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory; "This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds"; "this should cover everyone in the group" [syn: embrace] 
7. travel across or pass over; "The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day" [syn: traverse] 
8. be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism; "Snow reported on China in the 1950's"; "The cub reporter covered New York City" [syn: report] 
9. hold within range of an aimed firearm 
10. to take an action to protect against future problems; "Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself" 
11. hide from view or knowledge; "The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House" 
12. protect or defend (a position in a game); "he covered left field" 
13. maintain a check on; especially by patrolling; "The second officer covered the top floor" 
14. protect by insurance; "The insurance won't cover this" 
15. make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities; "he is compensating for being a bad father" 
16. invest with a large or excessive amount of something; "She covered herself with glory" 
17. help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities; "She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week" 
18. be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of; "Is this enough to cover the check?" 
19. spread over a surface to conceal or protect; "This paint covers well" 
20. cover as if with a shroud; "The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery" [syn: shroud] 
21. copulate with a female, used especially of horses; "The horse covers the mare" [syn: breed] 
22. put something on top of something else; "cover the meat with a lot of gravy" [syn: overlay] 
23. play a higher card than the one previously played; "Smith covered again" 
24. be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game 
25. sit on (eggs); "Birds brood"; "The female covers the eggs" [syn: brood] 
26. clothe, as if for protection from the elements; "cover your head!" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

cover

In addition to the idioms beginning with cover, also see blow one's cover; break cover; judge a book by its cover; (cover a) multitude of sins; take cover; under cover.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Investopedia - Cite This Source - Share This

Cover

The act of completing a transaction in order to remove any obligations.

Investopedia Commentary

Cover is a general term used in many different instances. For instance, an investors that recently puchased a security will have to cover the puchase by depositing the necessary funds. Or, an investor may wish to cover his/her short position by purchasing the stock. Or, a portfolio manager may wish to cover his/her risk exposure by buying an offsetting position.

See also: Covered Call, Portfolio, Short Covering, Short Selling

Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
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Wallstreet Words - Cite This Source - Share This

cover

See short cover.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms for Today's Investor by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: 1cov·er
Function: transitive verb
1 : INSURE covers other family drivers>
2 : to give protection against or compensation or indemnification for cover flood damage> intransitive verb : to obtain cover cover —Cosden Oil & Chemical Company v. Karl O. Helm AG, 736 Federal Reporter, Second Series 1064 (1984)>

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: 2cover
Function: noun
: purchase of goods in substitution for those originally contracted for when the seller fails to fulfill the contract cover and damages for nondelivery —Uniform Commercial Code>; also : the substituted goods
NOTE: Under the Uniform Commercial Code, when a seller does not perform on a contract, the buyer has the option of covering, with the seller paying the difference between the cost of the cover and the original contract price, or seeking damages for nonperformance. Reselling is the seller's comparable remedy when a buyer does not perform under a contract.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Cover

Cov"er\ (k?v"?r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Covered (-?rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Covering.] [OF. covrir, F. couvrir, fr. L. cooperire; co- + operire to cover; probably fr. ob towards, over + the root appearing in aperire to open. Cf. Aperient, Overt, Curfew.]

1. To overspread the surface of (one thing) with another; as, to cover wood with paint or lacquer; to cover a table with a cloth.

2. To envelop; to clothe, as with a mantle or cloak.

And with the majesty of darkness round Covers his throne. --Milton.

All that beauty than doth cover thee. --Shak.

3. To invest (one's self with something); to bring upon (one's self); as, he covered himself with glory.

The powers that covered themselves with everlasting infamy by the partition of Poland. --Brougham.

4. To hide sight; to conceal; to cloak; as, the enemy were covered from our sight by the woods.

A cloud covered the mount. --Exod. xxiv. 15.

In vain shou striv'st to cover shame with shame. --Milton.

5. To brood or sit on; to incubate.

While the hen is covering her eggs, the male . . . diverts her with his songs. --Addison.

6. To overwhelm; to spread over.

The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen. --Ex. xiv. 28.

7. To shelter, as from evil or danger; to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat.

His calm and blameless life Does with substantial blessedness abound, And the soft wings of peace cover him round. --Cowley.

8. To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit. "Blessed is he whose is covered." --Ps. xxxii. 1.

9. To extend over; to be sufficient for; to comprehend, include, or embrace; to account for or solve; to counterbalance; as, a mortgage which fully covers a sum loaned on it; a law which covers all possible cases of a crime; receipts than do not cover expenses.

10. To put the usual covering or headdress on.

Cover thy head . . .; nay, prithee, be covered. --Shak.

11. To copulate with (a female); to serve; as, a horse covers a mare; -- said of the male.

To cover

ground or distance, to pass over; as, the rider covered the ground in an hour.

To cover one's short contracts (Stock Exchange), to buy stock when the market rises, as a dealer who has sold short does in order to protect himself.

Covering party (Mil.), a detachment of troops sent for the protection of another detachment, as of men working in the trenches.

To cover into, to transfer to; as, to cover into the treasury.

Syn: To shelter; screen; shield; hide; overspread.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Cover

Cov"er\ (k?v"?r), n. 1. Anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book.

2. Anything which veils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloak. "Under cover of the night." -- Macaulay.

A handsome cover for imperfections. --Collier.

3. Shelter; protection; as, the troops fought under cover of the batteries; the woods afforded a good cover.

Being compelled to lodge in the field . . . whilst his army was under cover, they might be forced to retire. --Clarendon.

4. (Hunting) The woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover.

5. That portion of a slate, tile, or shingle, which is hidden by the overlap of the course above. --Knight.

6. (Steam Engine) The lap of a slide valve.

7. [Cf. F. couvert.] A tablecloth, and the other table furniture; esp., the table furniture for the use of one person at a meal; as, covers were laid for fifty guests.

To break cover, to start from a covert or lair; -- said of game.

Under cover, in an envelope, or within a letter; -- said of a written message.

Letters . . . dispatched under cover to her ladyship. --Thackeray.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Cover

Cov"er\, v. i. To spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet. [Obs.] --Shak.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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