Open and observable; not hidden, concealed, or secret: overt hostility; overt intelligence gathering.
Of, relating to, or being military or intelligence operations sanctioned or mandated by Congress: overt aid to the rebels.
[Middle English, from Old French, past participle of ovrir, to open, from Vulgar Latin *ōperīre, alteration (influenced by Latin cōperīre, to cover) of Latin aperīre; see wer-4 in Indo-European roots.] o·vert'ly adv., o·vert'ness n.
Main Entry: overt Pronunciation: O-'v&rt, 'O-"v&rt also 'O-v&rt Function: adjective : open to view : readily perceived<overt behavior … is that which is manifest in motor activity —E. A. Hoebel> <overt swelling> —overt·lyadverb