uncover

present singular third person uncovers · participle present uncovering · participle past uncovered · past uncovered

1. To remove a cover from.

   The model railway was uncovered.

2. To reveal the identity of.

   The murderer has finally been uncovered.

3. To show openly; to disclose; to reveal.

   To uncover his perjury to the oath of his coronation.

   1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], →OCLC

   2 more examples

   But Levinson said in an interview that the stalemate uncovers a flaw in the US system.

   2019 May 8, Zachary B. Wolf, “How to know when it’s a constitutional crisis”, in CNN, archived from the original on 28 Sep 2024

   New insights into bee movements and life cycles have been uncovered after researchers tracked the insects using tiny QR codes glued onto their backs.

   2025 January 28, Jack Guy, “Tiny QR codes help scientists track bee movements”, in CNN, archived from the original on 24 Mar 2025

   Synonyms: expose

4. intransitivereflexiveTo remove one's hat or cap as a mark of respect.

   The English soldiers were directed in general orders to salute and uncover before the Host as it passed, and here in the wilderness the old religion held firm sway.

   1891, N. H. Chamberlain, “In the Footprints of Burgoyne's Army”, in New England Magazine, volume 4, Boston, MA: New England Magazine Corporation

   1 more example

   Alfred, surprised to meet his father, whom he thought absent from home, […] stood, holding his firelock in one hand, and his hat in the other, having uncovered himself as soon as he perceived his father.

   1824, Town and Country Tales, page 115

   Synonyms: doff

5. intransitivereflexiveTo expose the genitalia.

   The phallus had power to subdue the attacks of demons and the Evil Eye; and the female organs were potent over elemental disturbances, thus a woman uncovering herself could quell a storm.

   1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 159

6. transitivegovernmentTo expose (lines of formation of troops) successively by the wheeling to right or left of the lines in front.