cove

plural coves

1. uncommonA hollow in a rock; a cave or cavern.First known use 9th c.
2. architectureA concave vault or archway, especially the arch of a ceiling.First known use 16th c.
3. A small coastal inlet, especially one having high cliffs protecting vessels from prevailing winds; bight.First known use 16th c.

   secret coves and noukes

   1659, T[itus] Livius [i.e., Livy], “(please specify the book number)”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Romane Historie […], London: […] W. Hunt, for George Sawbridge, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   There are several excellent snorkelling spots in the shallow coves around Chimei, and one-day tours (NT$1100 to NT$1300, including transport and food) can be arranged beforehand by your hotel or home-stay.

   2014, Robert Kelly, Chung Wah Chow, “Taiwan's Islands”, in Taiwan, 9th edition, Lonely Planet, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 307, column 2

4. USA strip of prairie extending into woodland.
5. CumbriaA recess or sheltered area on the slopes of a mountain.First known use 19th c.
6. nauticalThe wooden roof of the stern gallery of an old sailing warship.First known use 19th c.
7. nauticalA thin line, sometimes gilded, along a yacht's strake below deck level.First known use 19th c.
8. AppalachiaA valley between two ridges, especially one that, opening to the south and east, is protected by ridges on the north and west from common winter storm tracks.

   They were, despite their ignorance, unavoidably prosperous since their farm occupied a wide piece of cove bottom with dirt so black and rich it would raise sweet potatoes as long as your arm[.]

   1997, Charles Frazier, chapter 2, in Cold Mountain, London: Hodder and Stoughton, page 53

present singular third person coves · participle present coving · participle past coved · past coved

1. architectureTo arch over; to build in a hollow concave form; to make in the form of a cove.

   The mosques and other buildings of the Arabians are rounded into domes and coved roofs.

   1779, Henry Swinburne, Travels through Spain

plural coves

1. UKdatedthieves' cant; particularly Lewis; thieves' cant; particularly LewisMan; fellow.

   At one point, a friendly-looking sort of cove with silver hair and a grandfatherly kind of face beamed at him […]

   2012, Terry Pratchett, Dodger, →ISBN, page 326

   2 more examples

   Don't call Major Pendennis an old cove, if you'll 'ave the goodness, Lightfoot, and don't call me an old cove, nether. Such words ain't used in society; and we have lived in the fust society, both at 'ome and foring.

   1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC

   He was lying back in an arm-chair with his mouth open and a sort of goofy expression in his eyes, while a grey-bearded cove in the middle distance watched him with so much dislike that I concluded that Bingo had pinched his favourite seat.

   1923 May 17, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, “Bingo and the Little Woman”, in The Inimitable Jeeves, Harmondsworth, Middlesex [London]: Penguin Books, published 1979, →ISBN, page 203

   Synonyms: bloke, boy, bro, broski, bruh, cat, chap, chappy · Antonyms: covess, mort, blone, babe, baggage, bim, bint, bird

2. AustraliaPolariFriend; mate.

   Synonyms: babber, billy, bredrin, bruv, bud, buddo, buddy, butty · Antonyms: adversary, antagonist, backfriend, bane, bête noire, corrival, enemy, fiend

present singular third person coves · participle present coving · participle past coved · past coved · alternative couve

1. ambitransitiveobsoleteOf a bird or other animal: to brood, cover, incubate, or sit over (eggs).

   1 more example

   Moreover, the provident care of the tortoiſe in the generation, nouriſhment and preſervation of [h]er yooung, is vvoonderfull: for out ſhe goeth of the ſea, and laieth her egges or caſteth her ſpavvne upon the banke ſide; but being not able to cove or ſit upon them, nor to remaine herſelfe upon the land out of the ſea any long time, ſhe beſtovveth them in the gravell, and aftervvards covereth them vvith the lighteſt and fineſt ſand ſhe can get: […]

   1603, Plutarch, “Whether Creatures be more Wise, They of the Land, or Those of the Water”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Philosophie, Commonlie Called, The Morals […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield, →OCLC, page 976

   Synonyms: covie

plural Coves

1. A number of places in the United States:
   1. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Apache County, Arizona.
   2. countableuncountableA town in Polk County, Arkansas.
   3. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in McDonald County, Missouri.
   4. countableuncountableA minor city in Union County, Oregon.
   5. countableuncountableA minor city in Chambers County, Texas.
   6. countableuncountableA census-designated place in Cache County, Utah.
2. countableuncountableA small village in Tiverton parish, Mid Devon district, Devon, England (OS grid ref SS9519).
3. countableuncountableA suburb of Farnborough, Hampshire, England (OS grid ref SU8556).
4. Three villages in Scotland:
   1. countableuncountableA coastal village on the Rosneath peninsula, Argyll and Bute council area (OS grid ref NS2282).
   2. countableuncountableA hamlet on Loch Ewe, Highland council area (OS grid ref NG8090).
   3. countableuncountableA coastal village near Cockburnspath, Scottish Borders council area (OS grid ref NT7871).
   4. abbreviationcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of Cove Bay, Aberdeen.
5. countableuncountableA habitational surname from Old English.

1. Australiaball gamesThe official active supporters' group of Sydney FC (an Australian soccer club based in Sydney).