covert

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal

n. a place with thick bushes or trees where animals can hide.

n. a thicket, woodland, or area of undergrowth that provides shelter or concealment for wild animals or game.

“The fox disappeared into the thick covert before the dogs could find it.”

“The estate manager maintained several areas of dense covert to ensure a healthy population of pheasants for the upcoming season.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. small feathers that cover the base of a bird's larger wing or tail feathers.

n. any of the feathers covering the bases of the primary wing or tail feathers in birds.

“You can identify the species by looking at the colour of its wing coverts.”

“The ornithologist noted that the iridescent blue on the bird's greater coverts was only visible when the light hit at a specific angle.”

C2 · Proficiency Law Archaic · Technical

adj. an old legal word for a woman who was under the protection and control of her husband.

adj. pertaining to the historical legal status of a married woman under the protection and authority of her husband.

“In the past, a woman covert could not own property in her own name.”

“The lecturer explained how the status of a feme covert effectively merged a woman's legal identity into that of her husband.”