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

All that beauty than doth cover thee.
Shak.

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

A cloud covered the mount.
Exod. xxiv. 15.

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

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

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

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

To cover ground or 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.

A handsome cover for imperfections.
Collier.

Being compelled to lodge in the field . . . whilst his army was under cover, they might be forced to retire.
Clarendon.

To break cover, to start from a covert or lair; -- said of game. -- Under cover, in an envelope, or within a letter; -- said of a written message.

Letters . . . dispatched under cover to her ladyship.
Thackeray.