Find the word definition

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To cover distance

Cover \Cov"er\ (k?v"?r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Covered (-?rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Covering.] [OF. covrir, F. couvrir, fr. L. cooperire; co- + operire to cover; probably fr. ob towards, over + the root appearing in aperire to open. Cf. Aperient, Overt, Curfew.]

  1. To overspread the surface of (one thing) with another; as, to cover wood with paint or lacquer; to cover a table with a cloth.

  2. To envelop; to clothe, as with a mantle or cloak.

    And with the majesty of darkness round Covers his throne.
    --Milton.

    All that beauty than doth cover thee.
    --Shak.

  3. To invest (one's self with something); to bring upon (one's self); as, he covered himself with glory.

    The powers that covered themselves with everlasting infamy by the partition of Poland.
    --Brougham.

  4. To hide sight; to conceal; to cloak; as, the enemy were covered from our sight by the woods.

    A cloud covered the mount.
    --Exod. xxiv. 1

  5. In vain shou striv'st to cover shame with shame.
    --Milton.

    5. To brood or sit on; to incubate.

    While the hen is covering her eggs, the male . . . diverts her with his songs.
    --Addison.

  6. To overwhelm; to spread over.

    The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen.
    --Ex. xiv. 28.

  7. To shelter, as from evil or danger; to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat.

    His calm and blameless life Does with substantial blessedness abound, And the soft wings of peace cover him round.
    --Cowley.

  8. To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit. ``Blessed is he whose is covered.''
    --Ps. xxxii. 1.

  9. To extend over; to be sufficient for; to comprehend, include, or embrace; to account for or solve; to counterbalance; as, a mortgage which fully covers a sum loaned on it; a law which covers all possible cases of a crime; receipts than do not cover expenses.

  10. To put the usual covering or headdress on.

    Cover thy head . . .; nay, prithee, be covered.
    --Shak.

  11. To copulate with (a female); to serve; as, a horse covers a mare; -- said of the male.

    To cover ground or To cover distance, to pass over; as, the rider covered the ground in an hour.

    To cover one's short contracts (Stock Exchange), to buy stock when the market rises, as a dealer who has sold short does in order to protect himself.

    Covering party (Mil.), a detachment of troops sent for the protection of another detachment, as of men working in the trenches.

    To cover into, to transfer to; as, to cover into the treasury.

    Syn: To shelter; screen; shield; hide; overspread.