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.

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". © ALL rights are reserved.

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