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“covert”
covert (adjective), more covert, most covert
1. Relating to something that is made, shown, or done in a way that is neither easily seen nor noticed: The covert operation by the army unit was a success; however, only a few people would ever know its significance.
3. Etymology: from about 1300 A.D., from Old French covert, "hidden, obscure, underhanded"; literally, "covered" from the past participle of covrir, "to cover"; from Late Latin (about 300 to about 700 A.D.) coperire which came from Latin cooperire, "to cover over, to overwhelm, to bury"; from com," together, together with" + operire, "to close, to cover".
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Although Bill was pretending to read his newspaper on the bus, he was making covert glances at the pretty woman who was sitting across the aisle from him.
2. A reference to a thicket, or undergrowth, in which animals can be sheltered or hidden: In order for birds to protect themselves from being molested, they usually look for covert places in the bushes, in high grass, or in trees.3. Etymology: from about 1300 A.D., from Old French covert, "hidden, obscure, underhanded"; literally, "covered" from the past participle of covrir, "to cover"; from Late Latin (about 300 to about 700 A.D.) coperire which came from Latin cooperire, "to cover over, to overwhelm, to bury"; from com," together, together with" + operire, "to close, to cover".
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covet, covert, overt
covet (KUV it) (verb)
To ardently want something that another person has; to long for with envy: When Nadine was young, she used to covet her friend’s pretty clothes.
covert (KOH vurt) (adjective)
Concealed, hidden, disguised, secret, or surreptitious: The head of the company received a covert threat in an unaddressed envelope which was pushed under his office door.
overt (oh VURT, OH vurt") (adjective)
Clearly evident: Virgil had an overt dislike for his new supervisor.
Mona was very overt in her wish to covet her grandmother's necklace; however, after receiving a covert threat from another relative, she changed her mind.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Confusing Words Clarified: Group C; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc.
(page 11)
Word Entries containing the term:
“covert”
covert-feme (adjective) (no comparisons)
A reference to a man who is under the cover or protection of his wife.