cover

Noun

• a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)
  • her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment
    

• a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else
  • they made a cover of a Beatles' song
    

• a fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink

• fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations
  • artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal
    

• 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
    

• a natural object that covers or envelops
  • under a covering of dust
    
  • the fox was flushed from its cover
    

• the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book
  • the book had a leather binding
    

• the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it
  • the cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft
    

• bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
  • he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep
    

• 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
    

Verb

• clothe, as if for protection from the elements
  • cover your head!
    

• sit on (eggs)
  • Birds brood
    
  • The female covers the eggs
    

• be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game

• play a higher card than the one previously played
  • Smith covered again
    

• put something on top of something else
  • cover the meat with a lot of gravy
    

• copulate with a female, used especially of horses
  • The horse covers the mare
    

• cover as if with a shroud
  • The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery
    

• spread over a surface to conceal or protect
  • This paint covers well
    

• be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of
  • Is this enough to cover the check?
    

• help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities
  • She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week
    

• invest with a large or excessive amount of something
  • She covered herself with glory
    

• make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities
  • he is compensating for being a bad father
    

• protect by insurance
  • The insurance won't cover this
    

• maintain a check on; especially by patrolling
  • The second officer covered the top floor
    

• protect or defend (a position in a game)
  • he covered left field
    

• hide from view or knowledge
  • The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House
    

• to take an action to protect against future problems
  • Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself
    

• hold within range of an aimed firearm

• 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
    

• travel across or pass over
  • The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day
    

• 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
    

• 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
    

• provide for
  • The grant doesn't cover my salary
    

• 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
    

• form a cover over
  • The grass covered the grave
    

• 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
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  cover version , cover song , cover charge , covering fire , top , covering , natural covering , binding , book binding , back , screening , masking , blanket , screen , covert , concealment , wrap up , brood , hatch , incubate , overlay , breed , shroud , enshroud , hide , compensate , overcompensate , insur
• Antonyms: 
  uncover , expose