cove

n. a small, sheltered bay on the coast, often shaped like a horseshoe.

n. a small, sheltered coastal inlet, typically characterized by a narrow entrance and high surrounding cliffs.

“The boat dropped anchor in a quiet cove to hide from the wind.”

“The smugglers preferred the secluded cove because its high limestone cliffs provided excellent cover from the coastal patrol's vantage points.”

n. a curved part where a wall meets a ceiling.

n. a concave architectural member or vault, specifically the curved transition between a wall and a ceiling.

“The grand dining room featured a beautiful gold cove around the ceiling.”

“The architect specified a deep cove to soften the transition between the vertical planes and the ornate plasterwork of the ceiling.”

Technical

n. an old-fashioned way to say 'man' or 'fellow'.

n. a person, specifically a man; used as a familiar or slightly dismissive term of address.

“He seemed like a decent enough cove when I met him at the pub.”

“The old cove sitting by the fireplace had a wealth of stories about the village's history before the war.”

British English · Archaic · Informal

v. to build something with a curved or arched shape.

v. to construct or provide with a concave or arched form.

“The builder decided to cove the ceiling to make the room feel more elegant.”

“The master mason was instructed to cove the interior corners of the chapel to improve the acoustic properties of the space.”

Technical