cov·er / ˈkəvər/ • v. [tr.] 1. (often be covered) put something such as a cloth or lid on top of or in front of (something) in order to protect or conceal it. ∎  envelop in a layer of something, esp. dirt. ∎  scatter a layer of loose material over (a surface, esp. a floor), leaving it completely obscured. ∎  lie over or adhere to (a surface), as decoration or to conceal something. ∎  protect (someone) with a garment or hat: [as adj.] (covered) keep children covered with T-shirts. ∎  extend over (an area). ∎  travel (a specified distance): it took them four days to cover 150 miles.2. deal with (a subject) by describing or analyzing its most important aspects or events. ∎  investigate, report on, or publish or broadcast pictures of (an event). ∎  work in, have responsibility for, or provide services to (a particular area). ∎  (of a rule or law) apply to (a person or situation).3. (of a sum of money) be enough to pay (a bill or 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.4. disguise the sound or fact of (something) with another sound or action: Louise laughed to cover her embarrassment. ∎  [intr.] (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. ∎  [intr.] (cover for) temporarily take over the job of (a colleague) in their absence.5. aim a gun at (someone) in order to prevent them from moving or escaping. ∎  protect (an exposed person) by shooting at an enemy: [as adj.] (covering) the jeeps retreated behind spurts of covering fire. ∎  (of a fortress, gun, or cannon) have (an area) within range. ∎  (in team games) take up a position ready to defend against (an opposing player). ∎  Baseball be in position at (a base) ready to catch a thrown ball.6. Bridge play a higher card on (a high card) in a trick: the ploy will fail if the ten is covered | [intr.] East covered with his queen. 7. record or perform a new version of (a song) originally performed by someone else.8. (of a male animal, esp. a stallion) copulate with (a female animal), esp. as part of a commercial transaction between the owners of the animals.• n. 1. a thing that lies on, over, or around something, esp. in order to protect or conceal it. ∎  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. ∎ Philately a card or envelope that has traveled through the mail or that contains postal markings. ∎  (the covers) bedclothes.2. physical shelter or protection sought by people in danger: the sirens wailed and people ran for cover. ∎  undergrowth, trees, or other vegetation used as a shelter by hunted animals. ∎  an activity or organization used as a means of concealing an illegal or secret activity: they use philanthropy as a cover for subsidies to terrorists. ∎  [in sing.] an identity or activity adopted by a person, typically a spy, to conceal their true activities. ∎  military support given when someone is in danger from or being attacked by an enemy: they provide additional naval cover. ∎  Ecol. the amount of ground covered by a vertical projection of the vegetation, usually expressed as a percentage.3. short for cover charge.4. a place setting at a table in a restaurant.5. (also cover version) a recording or performance of a previously recorded song made esp. to take advantage of the original's success.PHRASES: break cover suddenly leave a place of shelter, esp. vegetation, when being hunted or pursued.cover all bases (or cover all the bases) include all relevant information. ∎  prepare for all likely circumstances.cover one's tracks conceal evidence of what one has done.from cover to cover from beginning to end of a book or magazine.take cover protect oneself from attack by ducking down into or under a shelter.under cover of concealed by: the yacht made landfall under cover of darkness.under separate cover in a separate envelope.PHRASAL VERBS: cover something up put something on, over, or around something, esp. in order to conceal or disguise it. ∎  try to hide or deny the fact of an illegal or illicit action or activity.DERIVATIVES: cov·er·a·ble adj.