Cover (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.
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2. To envelop; to clothe, as with a mantle or cloak.
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And with the majesty of darkness round
Covers his throne. Milton.
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All that beauty than doth cover thee. Shak.
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3. To invest (one's self with something); to bring upon (one's self); as, he covered himself with glory.
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The powers that covered themselves with everlasting infamy by the partition of Poland. Brougham.
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4. To hide sight; to conceal; to cloak; as, the enemy were covered from our sight by the woods.
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A cloud covered the mount. Exod. xxiv. 15.
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In vain shou striv'st to cover shame with shame. Milton.
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5. To brood or sit on; to incubate.
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While the hen is covering her eggs, the male . . . diverts her with his songs. Addison.
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6. To overwhelm; to spread over.
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The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen. Ex. xiv. 28.
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7. To shelter, as from evil or danger; to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat.
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His calm and blameless life
Does with substantial blessedness abound,
And the soft wings of peace cover him round. Cowley.
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8. To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit. “Blessed is he whose is covered.” Ps. xxxii. 1.
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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.
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10. To put the usual covering or headdress on.
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Cover thy head . . . ; nay, prithee, be covered. Shak.
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11. To copulate with (a female); to serve; as, a horse covers a mare; -- said of the male.
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To cover ground or To cover 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.
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Cover, v. i. To spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet. [Obs.] Shak.
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