oper-

1. To put something over the whole of, or the upper surface of, another object; in order to hide, to protect, or to decorate it.
2. To put a blanket over or around someone for warmth.
3. To be responsible for reporting, videotaping, or photographing an event or a particular class of events for a newspaper or a broadcasting company: Joe's job was to cover the details of the rioting for a TV station.
4. To conceal the existence of something by obstructing it so it can't be seen.
5. To present a false identity and background; especially, one created for an undercover agent or spy.
6. Etymology: from Old French covrir then Modern French couvrir, "to cover, to protect, to conceal"; from Late Latin coperire which came from Latin cooperire, "to cover over, to overwhelm, to bury"; from com-, "together, together with" + operire, "to close, to cover".

Usually a decorative cover for a bed which is placed over the other parts when the bed is not being used: A bedspread is a coverlet or the top on a bed.

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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A reference to a man who is under the cover or protection of his wife.

1. A reference to being hidden from knowledge or view; concealed.
2. Descriptive of a situation which is not openly practiced, engaged in, or shown.
3. Referring to something that is being covered or sheltered.

1. A reference to a thicket or woodland providing shelter for animals.
2. Conveying to something that is shown or done in a way that is not easily seen or noticed; relating to a secret or that which is hidden: Henry was participating in covertness when he made a quick glance at the woman who was walking by.

1. A government order that after a specific time certain activities; such as, being outside on the streets are prohibited.
2. Etymology: "evening signal, ringing of a bell at a fixed hour"; from Anglo-French coeverfu, from Old French cuevrefeu; literally, "cover fire" and from Modern French couvre-few, from cuevre, covrir, "to cover" + feu, "fire".

Historical Background for curfew, "cover the fire for the night"

In the middle Ages, peasants were required to cover or to extinguish their fires at a fixed time in the evening, which was announced by the ringing of a bell called the "cover-fire" or couvre-feu in French.

Danger from fire was especially great then because most buildings were made of wood and with a strong wind, a single house which was on fire could start a conflagration or a very destructive fire that causes a great deal of damage.

The Norman French used the word in England, where it was adopted as curfu, or in modern English, curfew, referring to the hour and the signal for citizens to retire to their homes, or, as now, for the closing of a public place or the cessation of any public activity for the night.

In fact, curfew has been extended to include certain classes of people; such as, juveniles, military, etc. to withdraw from public places at a determined time; however, now it has nothing to do with "covering the fire" in homes.

The soft tissue overlying the crown of a partially erupted tooth.

1. A small cloth used for wiping one's face, nose, or eyes.
2. A square of cloth, or absorbent paper, used primarily to wipe areas of the face; especially, the nose.
3. Etymology: from hand + kerchief, "cloth for covering the head"; from Old French couvrechief, literally, "cover head"; from couvrir "to cover" + chief, "head".

1. A square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or around the neck: "Mary's long golden hair hung down below her kerchief."
2. Etymology: from Anglo-French courchief, from Old French couvrechief; literally, "cover head"; from couvrir, "to cover" + chief, "head".

1. Possessing a lid or cover.
2. Opening something by means of a cover or lid.

1. Closed by a lid or cover, as the capsules of mosses.
2. Having an operculum, or an apparatus for protecting the gills; a reference to shells (aquatic creatures whose external coverings consist of shells) and of fish.
3. Etymology: from Latin operculatus, operculare, "to furnish with a lid", from operculum, "lid, cover".

The surgical excision of the mucous over an unerupted tooth.

Having the form of a lid or cover.

Producing or forming a lid or cover.