covertn.
/ˈkʌvət/, /ˈkəʊvəːt/, U.S. /ˈkoʊvərt/, /koʊˈvərt/ 1. gen. A covering.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > [noun] > a covering
wrielsc825
coverc1320
hillingc1325
eyelida1382
covering1382
casea1398
coverta1400
tegumentc1440
hacklea1450
coverturec1450
housingc1450
deck1466
heeler1495
housera1522
coverlet1551
shrouda1561
kever1570
vele1580
periwig1589
hap1593
opercle1598
integument?1611
blanketa1616
cask1646
operiment1650
coverlid1654
tegment1656
shell?1677
muff1687
operculum1738
tegmen1807
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > household linen > bedclothes > [noun] > a bed-cover
strailc725
coverta1400
covering1459
a1400 Stac. Rome 768 Vppon his hed A covert of brasse.
a1400 Cov. Myst. 140 I suppose that this woman slepte Withowtyn alle coverte.
1630 J. Wadsworth Eng. Spanish Pilgrime (new ed.) viii. 90 My bed was straw..without any couert at all.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. (1682) vii. 303 His Head vailed with a Wooden covert.
1633 G. Herbert Search in Temple viii What covert dare eclipse thy face?
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Surrey 76 Provident nature hath wrapped them [sc. wall-nuts] in so many coverts.
1759 B. Martin Nat. Hist. Eng. I. 146 Sheltered from the cold Air by a moveable Covert.
1811 W. R. Spencer Poems 82 With blood-stain'd covert rent.
2.
a. That which serves for concealment, protection, or shelter; a hiding place, shelter; = cover n.1 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > a secret place, hiding place > [noun]
hidelsc975
hidela1300
bushc1330
hulkc1330
derna1340
tapissinga1340
coverta1375
hiding1382
loting-placea1398
cover14..
hiding placec1440
mewa1450
closetc1450
hole1483
cure1502
secret1530
shrouding place1571
ivy-bush1576
coney burrowa1586
hidlings1597
foxhole1606
shrouding corner1610
recess1611
subterfuge1616
latibule1623
latebra1626
blind1646
privacy1648
hide1649
retreat1697
rathole1770
hidey-hole1817
tod hole1846
hulster1880
hideout1885
cwtch1890
castle1898
lurk1906
stash1927
hideaway1930
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > [noun] > shelter > giving or affording shelter > that which
coverta1375
cover14..
cure1502
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2217 No couert miȝt þei kacche, þe cuntre was so playne.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 582 Towart the cowert can he ga.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 71 Couert of treis sawit him full weille.
1551 T. Lever Serm. xiiii. December (new ed.) sig. G.vv Whyche also shall make bryghte the couertes of darkenesse.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine ii. iv. 113 In this City, Sheba the rebell, pursued by Joab..took covert.
1692 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 2) ii. 87 They did all creep out of their Holes and Coverts.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 302 Firing from behind stone walls, and such like coverts.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. iii. 80 A surer covert for the thief than night.
1874 G. Bancroft Hist. U.S. X. xxii. 463 No thicket offered covert, no swamp a refuge from cavalry.
b. figurative. = cover n.1 3d.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > means of concealment > [noun]
shadowc1200
blindfolding?c1225
coverturec1374
hiding1382
veilc1384
palliation?c1425
covert1574
panoply1576
hoodwink1577
mask1597
cover1600
screena1616
pretexture1618
purdah1621
subterfuge1621
tecture1624
coverlet1628
domino1836
face shield1842
concealment1847
protective colouring1873
camouflage1885
protective coloration1892
smokescreen1926
cover-up1927
scrim1942
marzipan1945
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 1 b Vnder the couerts of figures, [rather] than in open speeche.
1597 F. Bacon Of Coulers Good & Euill (Arb.) vii. 148 Hipocrisie draweth neer to religion for couert.
1713 S. Pycroft Brief Enq. Free-thinking 30 Free-Thinking is made the common Covert for Scepticism.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country ii. 128 Publicity Stopped further fear..and what tale Cowardice thinks a covert.
c. †by covert: under cover, covertly. †in (into) covert: in concealment; in hiding, or disguise, secretly; rarely, in safety. in (the) covert of: in the shelter of; †rarely, in shelter from. [Compare French à couvert de in both senses.] under covert: under cover, in shelter; †in concealment, under a disguise. under (the) covert of: (literal and figurative) under the shelter, authority, or countenance of; under the veil or disguise of; †under cover of (a letter).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > perfectly safe [phrase] > in safety or security
in safe?a1425
in safeguard?c1450
in (into) covert1477
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > [adverb]
by covert1477
secretly1535
in coverc1540
hiddenly1580
tectly1587
in(to) smoke1924
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > means of concealment > [adverb]
under covert1477
cloakedlya1500
disguisedly1631
umbrageouslya1649
incognito1649
wrappingly1649
incog1709
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > [phrase] > in or under the shelter of
in, under (the) lee (ofOE
under covert1477
under (the) covert of1477
under coverc1540
under the shelter of1595
in (the) covert of1611
under (the) cover of1726
society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun] > cover or envelope
coverture1587
by covert1655
envelopea1715
letter cover1741
cover1747
letter case1823
wrapper1846
1477 T. Norton Ordinall of Alchimy Proem in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 8 Bacon, and Raimond, with others many moe Wrote under covert, and Aristotle alsoe.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vi. 528 [He] held hym in-to cowert ay.
1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes ii. xxiv. 137 Whiche [trestelles] shal serve to make aleyes undre couert.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) clxiii. 636 They came downe in a valey by couerte..but the valyaunt knyght..spyed them.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13652 His cuntre [he] keppit in couert & pes To the last of his lyf.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke xii. f. 113 Neither is there anythyng..so close under coverte, which shall not..be uncouered.
1549–62 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Whole Bk. Psalms xvii. 8 And under covert of thy winges defend me secretly.
1562 T. Cooper Answere Def. Truth f. 106v, in Apol. Priuate Masse Vnder the Couert of that name you doo..set forth your owne errour.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 2 If you have any delight in his felowshyp, use the same rather in covert..at home.
1611 Bible (King James) Job xl. 21 He lieth..in the couert of the reede. View more context for this quotation
1641 J. Wilkins Mercury ii. 20 Arguments..when they steal into a mans assent, under the covert of a parable.
1655 J. Howell 4th Vol. Familiar Lett. xxii. 59 I receiv'd your last under the covert of Sir John Sackvill.
1678 A. Lovell tr. La Fontaine Mil. Duties Cavalry 141 Ditches, Hedges, little Hillocks, and..every thing that may put the Souldiers under Covert.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 122 Thy Bees a quiet Station find, And lodge 'em under Covert of the Wind. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals vii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 31 Sit here with us, in covert of the Wind.
1699 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ II. iii. xx. 165 Walls,..under the Covert of which the Vessels had Protection.
1773 H. More Search after Happiness i. 134 The Dame..Dwells in the covert of yon green retreat.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. viii. 305 He under covert fought of the broad shield.
1862 G. Rawlinson Five Great Monarchies I. vi. 382 Every theory of roofing and lighting which places the whole of an Assyrian palace under covert.
3. A place which gives shelter to wild animals or game; esp. a thicket; = cover n.1 4a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting area > [noun] > covert
covert1494
cover1719
bouquet1875
1199 Rot. Chartarum 21 Sex acras terræ in foresta nostra..juxta coopertum bosci.]
1494 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 17 It is ordained..that no Man..drive them out of their Coverts.
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Ivv Couertes or boroughes, wherein..he maie fynde game at pleasure.
1594 M. Drayton Matilda sig. E4 Like a Roe..to the couert doth himselfe betake.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 141. ⁋10 Sportsmen who boast of killing the foxes which they lodge in the covert.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod i. i. 2 Wolves..infested the woods and coverts.
1863 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation 19 The spiked palmetto forms an impenetrable covert.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxiii. 72 Am I to..Be with hind that haunts the covert?
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Gruiformes > [noun] > family Rallidae (rail) > genus Fulica > fulica atra (coot) > collectively
covertc1430
c1430 J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (1822) 30 A couerte of cootes.
1486 Bk. St. Albans F vj b A Couert of cootes.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod i. ii. 33. ]
5. Ornithology in plural. Feathers that cover the bases of the larger feathers on some particular part of the body, e.g. tail-coverts, wing-coverts, esp. the latter.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > feather > [noun] > covering base of large feathers (collective)
covert-feather1575
cover-feather1769
covert1774
coverture1861
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. vii. xiii The coverts of the wings are of a deep blackish green.
1797 R. Beilby & T. Bewick Hist. Brit. Birds I. 290 The middle coverts deep blue, glossed with green and gold.
1825 C. Waterton Wanderings in S. Amer. ii. ii. 179 The great coverts of the wings are stiff, narrow and pointed.
1834 R. Mudie Feathered Tribes Brit. Islands I. 8 The ear covert..consists of certain feathers that cover the external organ of hearing.
1835–6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. I. 351/1 The feathers which lie immediately over the quill-feathers are the ‘greater coverts’..The small feathers..upon the bones of the antebrachium..the ‘lesser coverts’.
1875 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports (ed. 12) i. i. iv. §1. 73 The wing-coverts are brownish, with the greater coverts white.
a. Law. In under covert= coverture n. 9.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > married woman > [noun] > condition or position of
coverture1542
under covert1563
under covert-baron1581
matronage?1585
matronship1831
matronhood1836
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Matrimony, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 506 She is under covert and obedience of her husband.
1677 W. Sherlock Answer Scandalous Pamphlet 67 A Wife under covert is secured from all Arrests at Law.
1710 R. Steele & J. Addison Tatler No. 262. ⁋4 She was now under Covert, and not liable to any Debts contracted when she was a single Woman.
b. transferred. Authority, jurisdiction.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > [noun]
doomc1000
strengthOE
obediencea1225
bandon?c1225
mastery?c1225
authority1340
bailliec1380
obeisancea1393
baila1400
mastership?a1425
jurisdictionc1425
masterdomc1475
reformation1523
maistrice1526
swinge1531
potentness1581
obey1584
masterfulnessa1586
prevailance1592
covert1596
magistrality1603
command1608
magistery1642
magisteriality1646
sway1765
tenure1871
1596 Foxe's Actes & Monuments (ed. 5) I. 195/1 Bishops and priests ought not to come vnder the couert [1583 court] and controlment of temporall power.
Compounds
C1. General attributive (in sense 3.)
covert-bough n.
ΚΠ
1816 L. Hunt Story of Rimini iii. 360 The birds that shot the covert boughs between.
covert-shooting n.
ΚΠ
1885 New Bk. Sports 34 The physical aspects of covert-shooting..have changed very much.
covert-side n.
ΚΠ
1871 M. Collins Marquis & Merchant I. x. 305 He mounts his hack, and is off to the covert-side.
C2. † covert-parent n. Obsolete parental authority or protection (after covert-baron).
covert cloth n. = covert coating n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric for specific purpose > [noun] > for clothing > for coats, cloaks, or shawls
coating1802
shawlingc1806
Petersham1812
cloaking1840
frocking1864
overcoating1865
ulstering1888
pink1889
mantling1893
covert cloth1895
coat-facing1900
covert coating1900
bluey1934
1895 Army & Navy Co-op. Soc. List, Autumn & Winter Designs (caption) Walking Gown..in Melton and Covert Cloths... Covert Cloth Gown.
1921 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 6 Apr. 7/1 (advt.) Children's Covert Cloth Reefers. Lightweight serviceable Reefer Coats for children.
1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 222 The best covert cloth is made from wool... Covert is also now made of rayon, cotton and synthetics.
covert coat n. a short light overcoat worn while shooting, riding, etc., and as a dust-coat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > coat > types of > overcoat > types of
pee1483
shuba1598
surtout1686
wrap-rascal1716
pea-jacket1717
box coat1718
toggy1742
jockey-coata1745
redingote1770
Polonese coat1774
pea coat1790
spencer1795
grego1809
benjamin1810
bang-up1835
pilot jacket1839
pilot coat1840
Petersham1842
taglioni1843
Chesterfield1852
siphonia1853
raglan1857
Inverness overcoat1865
immensikoff1870
Ulster1876
ulsterette1881
coat1889
polonaise1890
covert coata1893
benny1903
macfarlane1920
a1893 Mod. Advt. Waterproof Venetian covert coats.
1894 Country Gentlemen's Catal. 168/2 Special covert coat materials.
1899 E. W. Hornung Amateur Cracksman 16 A covert coat over his blazer.
1930 W. S. Maugham Cakes & Ale v. 74 A fawn-coloured covert-coat with large buttons.
1960 ‘R. East’ Kingston Black viii. 77 Marty appeared in his covert coat.
covert coating n. material, usually waterproof, for covert coats.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric for specific purpose > [noun] > for clothing > for coats, cloaks, or shawls
coating1802
shawlingc1806
Petersham1812
cloaking1840
frocking1864
overcoating1865
ulstering1888
pink1889
mantling1893
covert cloth1895
coat-facing1900
covert coating1900
bluey1934
1900 ‘Major of To-day’ Clothes & Man ii. 61 A good useful riding or driving coat is made of a heavy covert coating material.
1906 Daily Chron. 27 Aug. 8/5 A charming coat..made in biscuit-coloured covert-coating.
1959 Chambers's Encycl. XIV. 662/2 Covert coating, medium-weight fabric with a twill effect on the surface.
covert-feather n. = 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > feather > [noun] > covering base of large feathers (collective)
covert-feather1575
cover-feather1769
covert1774
coverture1861
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 189 Fasten a Bell vpon the two couert feathers of your Hawkes Stearne.
1761 G. Edwards in Philos. Trans. 1760 (Royal Soc.) 51 835 The..covert feathers of the wings and tail.
1867 B. P. Brent in W. B. Tegetmeier Pigeons (1867) xxi. 171 The whole of the lesser covert feathers of the wing shoulders.
covert hack n. a horse for riding to the ‘meet’, or to the covert, where he is exchanged for the hunter.
ΚΠ
1798 Morning Post & Gazetteer 1 May (advt.) George, a Brown ditto, eight years old, has been used as a covert hack, and in the summer to harness, in which he is remarkably clever and steady.
1912 Manch. Guardian 23 Jan. 14 The motor-car..being used to follow hounds without any pretence of their acting as covert hacks.
1982 Times 15 May 18 The function of the show hack, as opposed to that of the Park of Covert hack, has always been imprecise.
2001 R. Belben Hound Music (2002) 191 The smart covert hack Absalom, who got one with no exertion at twelve miles an hour to a distant meet.
ΚΠ
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iv. vi. 110 Being grown virgins of pretty stature, they were closely kept under covert-parent.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
covertadj.
/ˈkʌvət/, /ˈkəʊvəːt/, /kəʊˈvəːt/, U.S. /ˈkoʊvərt/, /koʊˈvərt/, /ˈkəvərt/ 1. † b. Fortif. covert way n. = covered adj. way.† c. transferred and figurative.
a. literal. Covered, hidden; roofed over; overgrown; sheltered. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > roof > [adjective] > roofed
covert1393
roofed1555
heeled1578
unreaved1646
covered1667
roofy1697
cleithral1849
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > [adjective] > of the nature of a shelter > sheltered
sheltered1597
covert1610
covered1685
screened1696
shrouded1841
the world > the earth > land > landscape > fertile land or place > land with vegetation > [adjective]
greeneOE
strongc1230
verdant1590
shrubby1598
shaggy1605
tufted1606
tufty1612
covered1632
vegetated1697
covert1707
verdurous1717
shagged1784
matted1791
vegetive1855
scrubbed1870
flourishing1883
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 227 For gladly wolde I..holde me covert alway.
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) v. 22 Blanchardyn..holdynge the couert wayes, because..he shold not be folowed or ouer taken.
1610 Bible (Douay) II. Ezek. iv. comm. Covert passage about seven foot in height.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 271 You are..to Plant a Couert Alley, vpon Carpenters Worke..by which you may goe in Shade.
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 241 The Fox is..very prejudicial to the Husbandman,..especially..near great Forest-woods and covert places.
1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion iii. 103 This covert nook reports not of his hand. View more context for this quotation
1883 R. L. Stevenson Silverado Squatters i. iii. 40 All is green, solitary, covert.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > [noun] > covered ways
way1481
corridor1591
covert way1591
caponier1683
covered-way1685
1591 W. Garrard & R. Hitchcock Arte of Warre 311 The way which is made in the counterscarpe which is commonly called the covert-way.
1688 J. S. Fortification 27 The Covert or close way..left above the Moat next the open Field.
1801 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) I. 361 Turning them by the covert way.
ΚΠ
1713 R. Steele Spectator No. 423. ⁋4 This Covert-way of Courtship.
1774 J. W. Fletcher Hist. Ess. in First Pt. Equal Check 12 The covert way of pharisaism.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 401 The beaver has a covert way bored under the ice.
2.
a. figurative. Concealed, hidden, secret; disguised.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > [adjective]
dernc897
dighela1000
hid?c1225
stillc1275
stillyc1275
covertc1303
secrec1374
secret1399
secretivec1470
covered1484
dark1532
underhid1532
hiddena1547
concealed1558
abstruse1576
unshewing1598
mystical1600
of secreta1616
mystica1625
subterraneous1652
researched1653
hugger-mugger1692
hidlingsa1810
sub rosa1824
cachet1837
cloak and dagger1841
theftuous1881
q.t.1910
closet1966
down-low1991
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > [adjective]
privya1398
palliate?a1425
beguiled1561
masked1567
covert1574
retired1596
remote1601
palliated1612
unsuspected1620
lapped1637
sopited1646
veiled1651
perdua1734
ulterior1735
screened1844
marzipanned1979
c1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 389 Ȝyf hyt be shewede here apert, Yn ouþer stede hyt ys couert.
a1400 Robbery in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) II. 38 A covert thefte dos he in case.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 50 The couert thoughts and delights of the minde.
1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 73v Condition implyed, or covert and not expressed, which is called a condition in Law.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. i. 187 Wage covert war or open?
1828 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I I. v. 117 It was a covert attempt on the French side to disguise Catholic emancipation.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People ix. 4. §631 The words..were taken as conveying a covert threat.
b. of looks, glances.
ΚΠ
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge xiii. 4 The pathway..brought him close to the house, towards which, and especially towards one particular window, he directed many covert glances.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. xvi. 155 A covert glance at her face.
a. Of persons: Not open, close, secretive; sly, deceitful. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > [adjective] > disposed to secrecy, secretive
dernOE
covert1340
secrec1385
secretc1440
mum1532
closec1540
whist1577
as silent as the grave1613
privatea1625
dark1650
uncommunicating1650
dry1681
uncommunicative1691
unexpansive1847
secretive1853
tight-lipped1876
cagey1909
zip-lipped1943
closet1948
coy1961
tight1977
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [adjective]
slipperc1000
hinderc1200
slidderya1250
covert1340
unwrast1393
slyc1440
slippery1555
fetching1570
shifting1581
as slippery as an eel1601
roundabout1608
corner-creeping1610
shuffling1616
prevaricatory1645
prevaricative1657
sliverly1674
whifflinga1680
sneak-pasty1681
slid1719
evasive1725
shauchling1755
shifty1837
slab-bridged1845
sneaky1861
pussy-footed1893
sidewinding1902
slithery1902
pussyfooting1926
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4489 Gog es als mykel at say, als covert, And Magog es noght elles bot als apert.
c1400 Rom. Rose 6152 Religiouse folk ben fulle covert; Seculer folk ben more appert.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clxv. f. lxxxxiiii This Lewys was not so Couert in his werke..but that his vncle had thereof wyttyng.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iii. v. 32 He was the couertst sheltred traitor That euer liu'd. View more context for this quotation
1673 tr. E. de Refuge Art of Complaisance 94 Tiberius the most crafty and covert of all men.
b. Of words: Of hidden or obscure meaning or reference. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > depth, obscurity > [adjective]
higheOE
dighela1000
deepc1000
darkOE
starkOE
dusk?c1225
subtle1340
dimc1350
subtilea1393
covert1393
mystica1398
murka1400
cloudyc1400
hard?c1400
mistyc1400
unclearc1400
diffuse1430
abstractc1450
diffused?1456
exquisitec1460
obnubilous?a1475
obscure?a1475
covered1484
intricate?a1500
nice?a1500
perplexeda1500
difficilea1513
difficult1530
privy1532
smoky1533
secret1535
abstruse?1549
difficul1552
entangled1561
confounded1572
darksome1574
obnubilate1575
enigmatical1576
confuse1577
mysteriousa1586
Delphic1598
obfuscatea1600
enfumed1601
Delphicala1603
obstruse1604
abstracted1605
confused1611
questionable1611
inevident1614
recondite1619
cryptic1620
obfuscated1620
transcendent1624
Delphian1625
oraculous1625
enigmatic1628
recluse1629
abdite1635
undilucidated1635
clouded1641
benighted1647
oblite1650
researched1653
obnubilated1658
obscurative1664
tenebrose1677
hyperbyssal1691
condite1695
diffusive1709
profound1710
tenebricose1730
oracular1749
opaque1761
unenlightening1768
darkling1795
offuscating1798
unrecognizable1817
tough1820
abstrusive1848
obscurant1878
out-of-focus1891
unplumbable1895
inenubilable1903
non-transparent1939
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > hidden or indirect meaning > [adjective]
covert1393
sidelinga1500
implieda1535
insinuate1534
understood1576
implicative1602
insinuated1605
reserved1607
whispered1608
interpretative1610
implicit1613
tacit1637
tacid1651
adumbrative1751
inexplicit1827
inexpress1871
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 55 To speke in wordes so coverte.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 542/1 The couert and obscure wordes of..Christ.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 11 Chose rather a kind of middle-way..under covert and indifferent words.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits xiv. 232 They have no fancy, and never are surprised into a covert or witty word.
4. Law. Said of a married woman: Under the cover, authority, or protection of her husband. See also feme covert n., covert-baron adj. and n.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > married woman > [adjective] > under protection of husband
covert1483
covert-baron1512
1483 Act 1 Rich. III c. 7 §3 Women covert.
1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng xviii. f. 32v If a woman couert with baron shall do homage, they shall knele before the lorde.
1536 Act 28 Hen. VIII (Stat. Irel. 1621) 149 The husband or friend of any woman covert.
1699 Act 10 & 11 Will. III c. 14 §2 Any person..within the age of 21 years, or covert, non compos, imprisoned, or beyond the seas.
1798 A. J. Dallas Rep. Cases U.S. & Pennsylvania 2 202 The instrument of 1790, executed by Margaret Henderson, being then covert.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† covertv.
Obsolete.
transitive. To put a covering over; to cover, conceal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)]
beteec893
wryOE
heelOE
hilla1240
forhilla1300
covera1400
curea1400
covertc1420
paviliona1509
overdeck1509
heild?a1513
deck?1521
overhale1568
line1572
skin1618
operculate1623
endue1644
theek1667
to do over1700
sheugh1755
occlude1879
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > hide, conceal [verb (transitive)]
heeleOE
forhelec888
i-hedec888
dernc893
hidec897
wryOE
behelec1000
behidec1000
bewryc1000
forhidec1000
overheleOE
hilla1250
fealc1325
cover1340
forcover1382
blinda1400
hulsterc1400
overclosec1400
concealc1425
shroud1426
blend1430
close1430
shadow1436
obumber?1440
mufflea1450
alaynec1450
mew?c1450
purloin1461
to keep close?1471
oversilec1478
bewrap1481
supprime1490
occulta1500
silec1500
smoor1513
shadec1530
skleir1532
oppressa1538
hudder-mudder1544
pretex1548
lap?c1550
absconce1570
to steek away1575
couch1577
recondite1578
huddle1581
mew1581
enshrine1582
enshroud1582
mask1582
veil1582
abscondc1586
smotherc1592
blot1593
sheathe1594
immask1595
secret1595
bemist1598
palliate1598
hoodwinka1600
overmaska1600
hugger1600
obscure1600
upwrap1600
undisclose1601
disguise1605
screen1611
underfold1612
huke1613
eclipsea1616
encavea1616
ensconcea1616
obscurify1622
cloud1623
inmewa1625
beclouda1631
pretext1634
covert1647
sconce1652
tapisa1660
shun1661
sneak1701
overlay1719
secrete1741
blank1764
submerge1796
slur1813
wrap1817
buttress1820
stifle1820
disidentify1845
to stick away1900
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 147 In stre or other thynge To covert here is holsom husbondynge.
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 385 This is husbondrie To covert hem with sumwhat whille thay drie.
1647 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre (ed. 3) iv. i. 166 The love of his loyall subjects, hitherto rather coverted then quenched.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
<
n.a1375
adj.c1303
v.c1420