ENGLISH
REFERENCE

covert

adj. · n.
US //ˈkoʊvɝt// UK //kəʊvˈɜːt// covert
  1. 1 secret or hidden (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    secret or hidden, especially when done by a government or the military.

    concealed, secret, or surreptitious; frequently applied to intelligence or military operations conducted without public knowledge.

    Example

    The agency carried out a covert operation to rescue the hostages.

    Example

    The government faced intense scrutiny after journalists exposed a series of covert interventions in the internal affairs of neighbouring states.
  2. 2 a hiding place for animals (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The estate manager maintained several areas of dense covert to ensure a healthy population of pheasants for the upcoming season.
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  1. 3 bird feathers (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

  2. 4 legal status of a married woman (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical Law

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

    Usage

    Usually appears in the phrase 'feme covert'.

Origin

From Middle English covert, from Old French covert, past participle of covrir (“to cover”) (corresponding to Latin coopertus); cognate to cover. Not closely related to overt, despite what the most common pronunciation would suggest.

Word family

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