1a thing which lies on, over, or around something, especially in order to protect or conceal it:a seat covera duvet cover
a thin solid object that seals a container or hole; a lid:a manhole cover
a thick protective outer part or page of a book or magazine:the year that Crime and Punishment appeared in hard covers
(the covers) bedclothes:she burrowed down beneath the covers
2 [mass noun] shelter or protection sought by people in danger:the sirens wailed and we ran for cover
undergrowth or trees used as a shelter by animals:the standing crops of game coverSee also covert (sense 1 of the noun).
military support given when someone is being attacked:they agreed to provide additional naval cover
an activity or organization used as a means of concealing an illegal or secret activity:the restaurant was run as a cover for a money-laundering operation
[in singular] an identity adopted by a spy to conceal their true activities:he was worried that their cover was blown
3 [mass noun]British protection by insurance against a liability, loss, or accident:your policy provides cover against damage by subsidence
4 (also cover version) a recording or performance of a song previously recorded by a different artist:the band played covers of Beatles songs
5a place setting at a table in a restaurant:the busiest time is in summer, with up to a thousand covers for three meals a day
[rendering French couvert]
6 Cricketshort for cover point.an easy catch by Hick at cover
(the covers) an area of the field consisting of cover point and extra cover:deliveries pitching outside leg stump are pounded through the covers
7 Ecology the amount of ground covered by a vertical projection of the vegetation, usually expressed as a percentage.
ზმნა
Universal
1put something on top of or in front of (something) in order to protect or conceal it:the table had been covered with a checked tableclothher husband had covered up his bald patch
envelop in a layer of something, especially dirt:he was covered in mud figurativeshe was covered in confusion
scatter a layer of loose material over (a floor or other surface), leaving it obscured:the barn floor was covered in straw
lie over or adhere to (a surface), as decoration or to conceal something:masonry paint will cover hairline cracks
2extend over (an area):the grounds covered eight acres
travel (a specified distance):it took them four days to cover 150 miles
3deal with (a subject) by describing or analysing its most important aspects or events:a sequence of novels that will cover the period from 1968 to the present
investigate, report on, or show pictures of (an event):Channel 4 are covering the match
have responsibility for or provide services to (a particular area):development officers whose work would cover a large area
(of a rule or law) apply to (a person or situation):the offence covers a wide spectrum of culpability
4(of a sum of money) be enough to pay (a cost):there are grants to cover the cost of materials for loft insulation
(of insurance) protect against a liability, loss, or accident involving financial consequences:your contents are now covered against accidental loss or damage in transit
(cover oneself) take precautionary measures so as to protect oneself against future blame or liability:one reason doctors take temperatures is to cover themselves against negligence claims
5disguise the sound or fact of (something) with another sound or action:Louise laughed to cover her embarrassment
[no object] (cover for) disguise the illicit absence or wrongdoing of (someone) in order to spare them punishment:if the sergeant wants to know where you are, I’ll cover for you
[no object] (cover for) temporarily take over the job of (a colleague) in their absence:during August ministers cover for other ministers
6aim a gun at (someone) in order to prevent them from moving or escaping:she raised her gun to cover Klift
protect (an exposed person) by shooting at an enemy: (as adjective covering)we retreated behind spurts of covering fire
(of a fortress, gun, or cannon) have (an area) within range.
chiefly Cricket stand behind (another player) to stop any missed balls.
(in team games) take up a position ready to defend against (an opposing player).
Baseball be in position at (a base) ready to catch the ball:he moved to cover second base
7record or perform a new version of (a song) originally performed by someone else:other artists who have covered the song include U2
8(of a male animal, especially a stallion) copulate with (a female animal):a working stallion who has covered forty mares this season
9 Bridge play a higher card on (a high card) in a trick:the ploy will fail if the ten is covered [no object]:East covered with his queen
break cover
suddenly leave a place of shelter, especially vegetation, when being hunted or pursued:it was more than likely that the tigress would break cover and try to rush me
cover all the bases
informal
deal with something thoroughly:we thought our legal department had covered all the bases in our terms and conditions
cover one's back (or North Americanass)
informal foresee and avoid the possibility of attack or criticism:never take chances, always cover your back
cover oneself in (or with) glory
perform very well:we didn’t exactly cover ourselves in glory with our batting
cover one's position
Finance
purchase securities in order to be able to fulfil a commitment to sell.
cover one's tracks
conceal evidence of one’s activities:he covered his tracks so well no one has ever been able to prove anything
cover the waterfront
North American informal cover every aspect of something:while half the dishes are Italian, the kitchen covers the waterfront from Greece to Morocco
from cover to cover
from beginning to end of a book or magazine:it’s a book to be read from cover to cover
take cover
protect oneself from attack by ducking down into or under a shelter:if the bombing starts, take cover in the basement
under cover
under a roof or other shelter:store seats under cover before the bad weather sets in
under cover of
concealed by:the yacht made landfall under cover of darkness
while pretending to do:Moran watched every move under cover of reading the newspaper
under plain cover
in an envelope or parcel without any marks to identify the sender.
under separate cover
in a separate envelope.
cover something up
try to hide the fact of illegal or illicit activity:the prime minister was accused of trying to cover up the scandal
