COVER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cover mean? 

• COVER (noun)
  The noun COVER has 10 senses:

1. a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

2. bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

3. the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it

4. the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book

5. a natural object that covers or envelops

6. covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)

7. fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations

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

9. a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else

10. a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)

  Familiarity information: COVER used as a noun is familiar.

• COVER (verb)
  The verb COVER has 26 senses:

1. provide with a covering or cause to be covered

2. form a cover over

3. span an interval of distance, space or time

4. provide for

5. act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

6. include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory

7. travel across or pass over

8. be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism

9. hold within range of an aimed firearm

10. to take an action to protect against future problems

11. hide from view or knowledge

12. protect or defend (a position in a game)

13. maintain a check on; especially by patrolling

14. protect by insurance

15. make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities

16. invest with a large or excessive amount of something

17. help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities

18. be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of

19. spread over a surface to conceal or protect

20. cover as if with a shroud

21. copulate with a female, used especially of horses

22. put something on top of something else

23. play a higher card than the one previously played

24. be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game

25. sit on (eggs)

26. clothe, as if for protection from the elements

  Familiarity information: COVER used as a verb is very familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COVER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

concealment; cover; covert; screen

Context example:

the simplest concealment is to match perfectly the color of the background

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

covering (an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

blind (a hiding place sometimes used by hunters (especially duck hunters))

camouflage (device or stratagem for concealment or deceit)

shoji (a translucent screen made of a wooden frame covered with rice paper)

stalking-horse (screen consisting of a figure of a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game)

Derivation:

cover (form a cover over)

cover (provide with a covering or cause to be covered)

cover (spread over a surface to conceal or protect)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

blanket; cover

Context example:

he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

bed clothing; bedclothes; bedding (coverings that are used on a bed)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

afghan (a blanket knitted or crocheted in strips or squares; sometimes used as a shawl)

electric blanket (a blanket containing and electric heating element that can be controlled to the desired temperature by a rheostat)

mackinaw; Mackinaw blanket (a thick plaid blanket formerly used in the northwestern United States)

manta (a blanket that is used as a cloak or shawl)

security blanket (a blanket (or toy) that a child carries around in order to reduce anxiety)

Derivation:

coverlet (a decorative bedspread (usually quilted))

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

cover; covering; masking; screening

Context example:

the cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

concealing; concealment; hiding (the activity of keeping something secret)

Derivation:

cover (spread over a surface to conceal or protect)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

back; binding; book binding; cover

Context example:

the book had a leather binding

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

protection; protective cover; protective covering (a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

half binding (book binding in which the spine and part of the sides are bound in one material and the rest in another)

three-quarter binding (the spine and much of the sides are a different material from the rest of the cover)

Holonyms ("cover" is a part of...):

book; volume (physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together)

Derivation:

cover (form a cover over)

cover (provide with a covering or cause to be covered)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A natural object that covers or envelops

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Synonyms:

cover; covering; natural covering

Context example:

the fox was flushed from its cover

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

natural object (an object occurring naturally; not made by man)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

scale (a flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals)

shell (the hard largely calcareous covering of a mollusc or a brachiopod)

test (a hard outer covering as of some amoebas and sea urchins)

body covering (any covering for the body or a body part)

case; sheath (an enveloping structure or covering enclosing an animal or plant organ or part)

integument (an outer protective covering such as the skin of an animal or a cuticle or seed coat or rind or shell)

blanket; mantle (anything that covers)

crust; encrustation; incrustation (a hard outer layer that covers something)

envelope (a natural covering (as by a fluid))

cap; hood (a protective covering that is part of a plant)

indument; indumentum (a covering of fine hairs (or sometimes scales) as on a leaf or insect)

roof (the inner top surface of a covered area or hollow space)

shell (a rigid covering that envelops an object)

eggshell; shell (the exterior covering of a bird's egg)

skim (a thin layer covering the surface of a liquid)

slough (any outer covering that can be shed or cast off (such as the cast-off skin of a snake))

snowcap (a covering of snow (as on a mountain peak))

vesture (something that covers or cloaks like a garment)

peridium (outer layer of the spore-bearing organ in many fungi)

pericarp; seed vessel (the ripened and variously modified walls of a plant ovary)

chlamys; floral envelope; perianth; perigone; perigonium (collective term for the outer parts of a flower consisting of the calyx and corolla and enclosing the stamens and pistils)

sac; theca (a case or sheath especially a pollen sac or moss capsule)

indusium (a membrane enclosing and protecting the developing spores especially that covering the sori of a fern)

bark (tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cover; top

Context example:

put the cover back on the kettle

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

covering (an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cover"):

cap (a top (as for a bottle))

lid (a movable top or cover (hinged or separate) for closing the opening at the top of a box, chest, jar, pan, etc.)

manhole cover (a flush iron cover for a manhole (as in a street))

screwtop (the top of a container that must be screwed off and on)

Derivation:

cover (put something on top of something else)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

cover; covering fire

Context example:

artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

fire; firing (the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy)

Derivation:

cover (hold within range of an aimed firearm)

Sense 8

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Synonyms:

cover; cover charge

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

fixed charge; fixed cost; fixed costs (a periodic charge that does not vary with business volume (as insurance or rent or mortgage payments etc.))

Derivation:

cover (be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of)

Sense 9

Meaning:

A recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cover; cover song; cover version

Context example:

they made a cover of a Beatles' song

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

recording (a storage device on which information (sounds or images) have been recorded)

Sense 10

Meaning:

A false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment

Hypernyms ("cover" is a kind of...):

concealing; concealment; hiding (the activity of keeping something secret)

• COVER (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Provide with a covering or cause to be covered

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

cover the grave with flowers

Verb group:

cover; spread over (form a cover over)

cover; overlay (put something on top of something else)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

frost (cover with frost)

frost (provide with a rough or speckled surface or appearance)

daub; smear (cover (a surface) by smearing (a substance) over it)

roof (provide a building with a roof; cover a building with a roof)

mulch (cover with mulch)

turf (cover (the ground) with a surface layer of grass or grass roots)

bank (cover with ashes so to control the rate of burning)

carpet (cover with a carpet)

carpet (cover completely, as if with a carpet)

board up (cover with wooden boards)

bedaub; besmear (spread or daub (a surface))

bark (cover with bark)

coat; surface (put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface)

butter (spread butter on)

paper; wallpaper (cover with wallpaper)

canvas (cover with canvas)

paper (cover with paper)

oil (cover with oil, as if by rubbing)

wax (cover with wax)

veneer (cover with veneer)

grease (lubricate with grease)

wash (apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc., to)

line (cover the interior of)

face (cover the front or surface of)

feather (cover or fit with feathers)

wrap; wrap up (arrange or fold as a cover or protection)

spritz (cover (a location) wholly or partially by squirting a liquid onto it)

felt (cover with felt)

paste (cover the surface of)

cloak (cover with or as if with a cloak)

coif (cover with a coif)

hold (cover as for protection against noise or smell)

jacket (provide with a thermally non-conducting cover)

foil (cover or back with foil)

white out; whiteout (cover up with a liquid correction fluid)

flash (protect by covering with a thin sheet of metal)

pall (cover with a pall)

sod (cover with sod)

bind (provide with a binding)

plank; plank over (cover with planks)

parcel (cover with strips of canvas)

flake (cover with flakes or as if with flakes)

recover (cover anew)

hood (cover with a hood)

cowl (cover with or as with a cowl)

clapboard (cover with clapboards)

canopy (cover with a canopy)

bread (cover with bread crumbs)

blinker (put blinders on (a horse))

blindfold (cover the eyes of (someone) to prevent him from seeing)

aluminise; aluminize (cover with aluminum)

crown (put an enamel cover on)

sheet (cover with a sheet, as if by wrapping)

tile (cover with tiles)

lag (cover with lagging to prevent heat loss)

mask (put a mask on or cover with a mask)

block out; mask (shield from light)

mask (cover with a sauce)

blanket (cover as if with a blanket)

plaster; plaster over; stick on (apply a heavy coat to)

plaster (apply a plaster cast to)

paint (apply a liquid to; e.g., paint the gutters with linseed oil)

apply; put on (apply to a surface)

laminate (cover with a thin sheet of non-fabric material)

spray (cover by spraying with a liquid)

brush (cover by brushing)

frost; ice (decorate with frosting)

smother; surround (envelop completely)

enclose; enfold; envelop; enwrap; wrap (enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering)

sheathe (cover with a protective sheathing)

crape; crepe (cover or drape with crape)

concrete (cover with cement)

blacklead (cover with graphite)

grass (cover with grass)

gravel (cover with gravel)

lime (cover with lime so as to induce growth)

mound over (form mounds over)

straw (cover or provide with or as if with straw)

spread (cover by spreading something over)

drape (cover or dress loosely with cloth)

dust (cover with a light dusting of a substance)

beplaster; plaster (cover conspicuously or thickly, as by pasting something on)

steel (cover, plate, or edge with steel)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

They cover the halls with holly

Antonym:

uncover (remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body)

Derivation:

cover (the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book)

cover (a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something)

covering (an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Form a cover over

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

cover; spread over

Context example:

The grass covered the grave

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

adjoin; contact; meet; touch (be in direct physical contact with; make contact)

Verb group:

cover (provide with a covering or cause to be covered)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

flood (cover with liquid, usually water)

bloody (cover with blood)

mist; mist over (become covered with mist)

glaciate (cover with ice or snow or a glacier)

strew (cover; be dispersed over)

grass; grass over (cover with grass)

cake; coat (form a coat over)

drown; overwhelm; submerge (cover completely or make imperceptible)

mantle (cover like a mantle)

cloak; clothe; drape; robe (cover as if with clothing)

blanket (form a blanket-like cover (over))

carpet (form a carpet-like cover (over))

smother (form an impenetrable cover over)

shroud (form a cover like a shroud)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sentence example:

Holly flowers cover the halls

Derivation:

cover (the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book)

cover (a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something)

covering (a natural object that covers or envelops)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Span an interval of distance, space or time

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

continue; cover; extend

Context example:

The Archipelago continues for another 500 miles

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

be (occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere)

Verb group:

cover (hold within range of an aimed firearm)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

cross; span; sweep; traverse (to cover or extend over an area or time period)

sweep (cover the entire range of)

overlap (extend over and cover a part of)

overspread; spread (spread across or over)

ridge (extend in ridges)

constellate; dot; stud (scatter or intersperse like dots or studs)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Provide for

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

The grant doesn't cover my salary

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

fulfil; fulfill; live up to; satisfy (meet the requirements or expectations of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 5

Meaning:

Act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

address; cover; deal; handle; plow; treat

Context example:

The new book treats the history of China

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

broach; initiate (bring up a topic for discussion)

Verb group:

do by; handle; treat (interact in a certain way)

comprehend; cover; embrace; encompass (include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

theologise; theologize (treat from a theological viewpoint or render theological in character)

discourse; discuss; talk about (to consider or examine in speech or writing)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

coverage (the extent to which something is covered)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

comprehend; cover; embrace; encompass

Context example:

this should cover everyone in the group

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

include (have as a part, be made up out of)

Verb group:

address; cover; deal; handle; plow; treat (act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 7

Meaning:

Travel across or pass over

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

cover; cross; cut across; cut through; get across; get over; pass over; track; traverse

Context example:

The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

pass (go across or through)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

tramp (cross on foot)

stride (cover or traverse by taking long steps)

walk (traverse or cover by walking)

crisscross (cross in a pattern, often random)

ford (cross a river where it's shallow)

bridge (cross over on a bridge)

jaywalk (cross the road at a red light)

drive; take (proceed along in a vehicle)

course (move swiftly through or over)

hop (traverse as if by a short airplane trip)

Sentence frames:

Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 8

Meaning:

Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

cover; report

Context example:

The cub reporter covered New York City

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

inform (impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to)

Verb group:

cover (maintain a check on; especially by patrolling)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They won't cover the story

Derivation:

coverage (the news as presented by reporters for newspapers or radio or television)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Hold within range of an aimed firearm

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Verb group:

continue; cover; extend (span an interval of distance, space or time)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

cover (fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations)

Sense 10

Meaning:

To take an action to protect against future problems

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Verb group:

cover; insure; underwrite (protect by insurance)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 11

Meaning:

Hide from view or knowledge

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

cover; cover up

Context example:

The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

conceal; hide (prevent from being seen or discovered)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

gloss over; hush up; sleek over; whitewash (cover up a misdemeanor, fault, or error)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

covering (the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it)

Sense 12

Meaning:

Protect or defend (a position in a game)

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

he covered left field

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Verb group:

cover (be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

double-team (cover with two defensive players)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 13

Meaning:

Maintain a check on; especially by patrolling

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

The second officer covered the top floor

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

ascertain; assure; check; control; ensure; insure; see; see to it (be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something)

Verb group:

cover; report (be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 14

Meaning:

Protect by insurance

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

cover; insure; underwrite

Context example:

The insurance won't cover this

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

guarantee; warrant (stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of)

Verb group:

cover (to take an action to protect against future problems)

compensate; cover; overcompensate (make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

reinsure (insure again by assuming all or a part of the liability of an insurance company already covering a risk)

indemnify (secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

coverage (the total amount and type of insurance carried)

Sense 15

Meaning:

Make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

compensate; cover; overcompensate

Context example:

he is compensating for being a bad father

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

compensate; correct; counterbalance; even off; even out; even up; make up (adjust for)

Verb group:

cover; insure; underwrite (protect by insurance)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 16

Meaning:

Invest with a large or excessive amount of something

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

She covered herself with glory

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

empower; endow; endue; gift; indue; invest (give qualities or abilities to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 17

Meaning:

Help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

deputise; deputize; step in; substitute (act as a substitute)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 18

Meaning:

Be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Context example:

Is this enough to cover the check?

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

cover (a fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink)

Sense 19

Meaning:

Spread over a surface to conceal or protect

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Context example:

This paint covers well

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

conceal; hide (prevent from being seen or discovered)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

cover (the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it)

cover (a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something)

covering (the act of protecting something by covering it)

covering (the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it)

Sense 20

Meaning:

Cover as if with a shroud

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

cover; enshroud; hide; shroud

Context example:

The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

enclose; enfold; envelop; enwrap; wrap (enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 21

Meaning:

Copulate with a female, used especially of horses

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

breed; cover

Context example:

The horse covers the mare

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

copulate; couple; mate; pair (engage in sexual intercourse)

Verb group:

brood; cover; hatch; incubate (sit on (eggs))

Domain category:

animal husbandry (breeding and caring for farm animals)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 22

Meaning:

Put something on top of something else

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

cover; overlay

Context example:

cover the meat with a lot of gravy

Verb group:

cover (provide with a covering or cause to be covered)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cover"):

splash (mark or overlay with patches of contrasting color or texture; cause to appear splashed or spattered)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

cover (covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container))

Sense 23

Meaning:

Play a higher card than the one previously played

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

Smith covered again

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

play (put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game)

Domain category:

card game; cards (a game played with playing cards)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 24

Meaning:

Be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Verb group:

cover (protect or defend (a position in a game))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 25

Meaning:

Sit on (eggs)

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

brood; cover; hatch; incubate

Context example:

The female covers the eggs

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

multiply; procreate; reproduce (have offspring or produce more individuals of a given animal or plant)

"Cover" entails doing...:

sit; sit down (take a seat)

Verb group:

hatch (emerge from the eggs)

breed; cover (copulate with a female, used especially of horses)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 26

Meaning:

Clothe, as if for protection from the elements

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

cover; wrap up

Context example:

cover your head!

Hypernyms (to "cover" is one way to...):

apparel; clothe; dress; enclothe; fit out; garb; garment; habilitate; raiment; tog (provide with clothes or put clothes on)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

covering (the act of protecting something by covering it)

 Context examples 

If you write for medical journals, you might be reporting on new techniques in dentistry, orthopedic surgery, dermatology, or eye health, all covered by Capricorn, too.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

I have already told the reader, that every night, when the family were gone to bed, it was my custom to strip, and cover myself with my clothes.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Phelps raised the cover, and as he did so he uttered a scream, and sat there staring with a face as white as the plate upon which he looked.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"See that," Joe said, holding up a filmy corset-cover that he could have crumpled from view in one hand.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The researchers gathered data on how Gary and two other birds land on different surfaces, including natural perches and artificial perches covered in foam, sandpaper and Teflon.

(Researchers study birds to improve how robots land, National Science Foundation)

Upcoming images will offer even more information, as the comet is quickly covering more space in OSIRIS' field of view.

(Rosetta closing in on comet, NASA)

However, he kept fast hold, and led her in; and the cover of the basket came off, so that the meats in it fell about.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The liquid electrolyte covers the metal electrode and is also exposed to the air electrode.

(New, high-energy rechargeable batteries, NSF)

"Where there's enough plant cover, the wind blows on by."

(Sleeping sands of the Kalahari awaken after more than 10,000 years, NSF)