Chapter CIII: Conclusion: Con*clu"sion, n. Etym: F., fr. L. conclusio. See Conclude (12)

COUNTRETAILLE Coun"tre*taille` (koun"tr-tl`), n. Etym: [F. contretaille; contre (L. contra) + taille cut. See Tally.]

Defn: A counter tally; correspondence (in sound). [Obs.] At the countretaille, in return. Chaucer.

COUNTRIFIED Coun"tri*fied (kn"tr-fld), p. a.

Defn: Having the appearance and manners of a rustic; rude. As being one who took no pride, And was a deal too countrified. Lloyd.

COUNTRIFY Coun"tri*fy (kn"tr-f), v. t.

Defn: To give a rural appearance to; to cause to appear rustic. Lamb.

COUNTRY Coun"try (kn"tr), n.; pl. Countries (-tr. Etym: [F. contr, LL. contrata, fr. L. contra over against, on the opposite side. Cf. Counter, adv., Contra.]

1. A tract of land; a region; the territory of an independent nation; (as distinguished from any other region, and with a personal pronoun) the region of one's birth, permanent residence, or citizenship. Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred. Gen. xxxxii. 9. I might have learned this by my last exile, that change of countries cannot change my state. Stirling. Many a famous realm And country, whereof here needs no account Milton.

2. Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town. As they walked, on their way into the country. Mark xvi. 12 (Rev. Ver. ). God made the covatry, and man made the town. Cowper. Only very great men were in the habit of dividing the year between town and country. Macualay.

3. The inhabitants or people of a state or a region; the populace; the public. Hence: (a) One's constituents. (b) The whole body of the electors of state; as, to dissolve Parliament and appeal to the country. All the country in a general voice Cried hate upon him. Shak.

4. (Law) (a) A jury, as representing the citizens of a country. (b) The inhabitants of the district from which a jury is drawn.

5. (Mining.)

Defn: The rock through which a vein runs. Conclusion to the country. See under Conclusion. -- To put, or throw, one's self upon the country, to appeal to one's constituents; to stand trial before a jury.

COUNTRY Coun"try, a.

1. Pertaining to the regions remote from a city; rural; rustic; as, a country life; a country town; the country party, as opposed to city.

2. Destitute of refinement; rude; unpolished; rustic; not urbane; as, country manners.

3. Pertaining, or peculiar, to one's own country. She, bowing herself towards him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language. 2 Macc. vii. 27.

COUNTRY BANK Coun"try bank. (Banking)

Defn: A national bank not in a reserve city. [Colloq., U. S.]

COUNTRY-BASE Coun"try-base` (-bs`), n.

Defn: Same as Prison base.

COUNTRY CLUB Coun"try club.

Defn: A club usually located in the suburbs or vicinity of a city or town and devoted mainly to outdoor sports.

COUNTRY COUSIN Coun"try cousin.

Defn: A relative from the country visiting the city and unfamiliar with city manners and sights.

COUNTRY-DANCE Coun"try-dance` (-dns`), n. Etym: [Prob. an adaptation of contradance.]

Defn: See Contradance. He had introduced the English country-dance to the knowledge of the Dutch ladies. Macualay.

COUNTRYMAN Coun"try*man (kn"tr-man), n.; pl. Countrymen (-men).

1. An inhabitant or native of a region. Shak.

2. One born in the same country with another; a compatriot; -- used with a possessive pronoun. In perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen. 2 Cor. xi. 26.

3. One who dwells in the country, as distinguished from a townsman or an inhabitant of a city; a rustic; a husbandman or farmer. A simple countryman that brought her figs. Shak.

COUNTRY SEAT Coun"try seat` (kn"tr st`).

Defn: A dwelling in the country, used as a place of retirement from the city.

COUNTRYSIDE Coun"try*side` (-sd`), n.

Defn: A particular rural district; a country neighborhood. [Eng.] W. Black. Blackmore.

COUNTRYWOMAN Coun"try*wom`an (-wm`an), n.; pl. Countrywomen (-w.

Defn: A woman born, or dwelling, in the country, as opposed to the city; a woman born or dwelling in the same country with another native or inhabitant. Shak.

COUNT-WHEEL Count"-wheel` (kount"hwl`), n.

Defn: The wheel in a clock which regulates the number of strokes.

COUNTY Coun"ty (koun"t), n.; pl. Counties (-t. Etym: [F. comt, fr. LL. comitatus. See Count.]

1. An earldom; the domain of a count or earl. [Obs.]

2. A circuit or particular portion of a state or kingdom, separated from the rest of the territory, for certain purposes in the administration of justice and public affairs; -- called also a shire. See Shire. Every county, every town, every family, was in agitation. Macaulay.

3. A count; an earl or lord. [Obs.] Shak. County commissioners. See Commissioner. -- County corporate, a city or town having the privilege to be a county by itself, and to be governed by its own sheriffs and other magistrates, irrespective of the officers of the county in which it is situated; as London, York, Bristol, etc. [Eng.] Mozley & W. -- County court, a court whose jurisdiction is limited to county. -- County palatine, a county distingushed by particular privileges; -- so called a palatio (from the palace), because the owner had originally royal powers, or the same powers, in the administration of justice, as the king had in his palace; but these powers are now abridged. The counties palatine, in England, are Lancaster, Chester, and Durham. -- County rates, rates levied upon the county, and collected by the boards of guardians, for the purpose of defraying the expenses to which counties are liable, such as repairing bridges, jails, etc. [Eng.] -- County seat, a county town. [U.S.] -- County sessions, the general quarter sessions of the peace for each county, held four times a year. [Eng.] -- County town, the town of a county, where the county business is transacted; a shire town.

COUP Coup (k), n. Etym: [F., fr.L. colaphus a cuff, Gr.

Defn: A sudden stroke; an unexpected device or stratagem; -- a term used in various ways to convey the idea of promptness and force. Coup de grace (ke gr Etym: [F.], the stroke of mercy with which an executioner ends by death the sufferings of the condemned; hence, a decisive, finishing stroke. -- Coup de main (ke m Etym: [F.] (Mil.), a sudden and unexpected movement or attack. -- Coup de soleil (k Etym: [F.] (Med.), a sunstroke. See Sunstroke. -- Coup d'état (k Etym: [F.] (Politics), a sudden, decisive exercise of power whereby the existing government is subverted without the consent of the people; an unexpected measure of state, more or less violent; a stroke of policy. -- Coup d'oeil (k. Etym: [F.] (a) A single view; a rapid glance of the eye; a comprehensive view of a scene; as much as can be seen at one view. (b) The general effect of a picture. (c) (Mil.) The faculty or the act of comprehending at a glance the weakness or strength of a military position, of a certain arrangement of troops, the most advantageous position for a battlefield, etc.

COUPABLE Cou (k"p-b'l), a. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Culpable. [Obs.]

COUPE Cou`pé" (k`p"), n. Etym: [F., fr. coupé, p. p. of couper to cut. See Coppice.]

1. The front compartment of a French diligence; also, the front compartment (usually for three persons) of a car or carriage on British railways.

2. A four-wheeled close carriage for two persons inside, with an outside seat for the driver; -- so called because giving the appearance of a larger carriage cut off.

COUPED Couped (kpt), a. Etym: [F. couper to cut.] (Her.)

Defn: Cut off smoothly, as distinguished from erased; -- used especially for the head or limb of an animal. See Erased.

COUPEE Cou*pee" (k-p"; F. k`p), n. Etym: [F. coupé, n., properly p. p. of couper to cut. Cf. Coupé, Coopee.]

Defn: A motion in dancing, when one leg is a little bent, and raised from the floor, and with the other a forward motion is made. Chambers.

COUPE-GORGE Coupe`-gorge" (kp`grzh"), n. Etym: [F., cut throat.] (Mil.)

Defn: Any position giving the enemy such advantage that the troops occupying it must either surrender or be cut to pieces. Farrow.

COUPLE Cou"ple (kp"'l), n. Etym: [F. couple, fr. L. copula a bond, band; co- + apere, aptum, ti join. See Art, a., and cf.Copula.]

1. That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler. [Obs.] It is in some sort with friends as it is with dogs in couples; they should be of the same size and humor. L'Estrange. I'll go in couples with her. Shak.

2. Two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace. "A couple of shepherds." Sir P. Sidney. "A couple of drops" Adduson. "A couple of miles." Dickens. "A couple of weeks." Carlyle. Adding one to one we have the complex idea of a couple. Locke. [Ziba] met him with a couple of asses saddled. 2 Sam. xvi. 1.

3. A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed. Such were our couple, man and wife. Lloyd. Fair couple linked in happy, nuptial league. Milton.

4. (Arch.)

Defn: See Couple-close.

5. (Elec.)

Defn: One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.

6. (Mech.)

Defn: Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes.

Note: The effect of a couple of forces is to produce a rotation. A couple of rotations is equivalent to a motion of translation.

COUPLE Cou"ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coupled (kp"'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Coupling (-lng).] Etym: [F. coupler, fr. L. copulare. See Couple, n., and cf. Copulate, Cobble, v. ]

1. To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, . . . And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. Shak.

2. To join in wedlock; to marry. [Colloq.] A parson who couples all our beggars. Swift.

COUPLE Cou"ple, v. i.

Defn: To come together as male and female; to copulate. [Obs.] Milton. Bacon.

COUPLE-BEGGAR Cou"ple-beg`gar (-bg`gr), n.

Defn: One who makes it his business to marry beggars to each other. Swift.

COUPLE-CLOSE Cou"ple-close` (kp"-kls`), n.; pl. Couple-closes (-kl

1. (Her.)

Defn: A diminutive of the chevron, containing one fourth of its surface. Couple-closes are generally borne one on each side of a chevron, and the blazoning may then be either a chevron between two couple-closes or chevron cottised.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: A pair of rafters framed together with a tie fixed at their feet, or with a collar beam. [Engl.]

COUPLEMENT Cou"ple*ment (kp"'l-ment), n. Etym: [Cf. OF. couplement.]

Defn: Union; combination; a coupling; a pair. [Obs.] Shak. And forth together rode, a goodly couplement. Spenser.

COUPLER Coup"ler (kp"lr), n.

Defn: One who couples; that which couples, as a link, ring, or shackle, to connect cars. Coupler of an organ, a contrivance by which any two or more of the ranks of keys, or keys and pedals, are connected so as to act together when the organ is played.

COUPLET Coup"let (-lt), n. Etym: [F. couplet, dim. of couple. See Couple, n. ]

Defn: Two taken together; a pair or couple; especially two lines of verse that rhyme with each other. A sudden couplet rushes on your mind. Crabbe.

COUPLING Coup"ling (-lng), n.

1. The act of bringing or coming together; connection; sexual union.

2. (Mach.)

Defn: A device or contrivance which serves to couple or connect adjacent parts or objects; as, a belt coupling, which connects the ends of a belt; a car coupling, which connects the cars in a train; a shaft coupling, which connects the ends of shafts. Box coupling, Chain coupling. See under Box, Chain. -- Coupling box, a coupling shaped like a journal box, for clamping together the ends of two shafts, so that they may revolve together. -- Coupling pin, a pin or bolt used in coupling or joining together railroad cars, etc.

COUPON Cou"pon (k"pn; F. k`pn"), n. Etym: [F., fr. couper to cut, cut off. See Coppice.]

1. (Com.)

Defn: A certificate of interest due, printed at the bottom of transferable bonds (state, railroad, etc.), given for a term of years, designed to be cut off and presented for payment when the interest is due; an interest warrant.

2. A section of a ticket, showing the holder to be entitled to some specified accomodation or service, as to a passage over a designated line of travel, a particular seat in a theater, or the like.

COUPSTICK Coup"stick` (koo"stik`), n. [Coup + stick.]

Defn: A stick or switch used among some American Indians in making or counting a coup.

COUPURE Cou*pure" (k-pr"), n. Etym: [F., fr. couper to cut.] (Fort.)

Defn: A passage cut through the glacis to facilitate sallies by the besieged. Wilhelm.

COURAGE Cour"age (kr"j;48), n. Etym: [OE. corage heart, mind, will, courage, OF. corage, F. courage, fr. a LL. derivative of L. cor heart. See Heart.]

1. The heart; spirit; temper; disposition. [Obs.] So priketh hem nature in here corages. Chaucer. My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes are nigh, and this soft courage makes your followers faint. Shak.

2. Heart; inclination; desire; will. [Obs.] Chaucer. I'd such a courage to do him good. Shak.

3. That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution. The king-becoming graces . . . Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude, I have no relish of them. Shak. Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it. Addison.

Syn. -- Heroism; bravery; intrepidity; valor; gallantry; daring; firmness; hardihood; boldness; dauntlessness; resolution. See Heroism. -- Courage, Bravery, Fortitude, Intrepidity, Gallantry, Valor. Courage is that firmness of spirit and swell of soul which meets danger without fear. Bravery is daring and impetuous courage, like that of one who has the reward continually in view, and displays his courage in daring acts. Fortitude has often been styled "passive courage," and consist in the habit of encountering danger and enduring pain with a steadfast and unbroken spirit. Valor is courage exhibited in war, and can not be applied to single combats; it is never used figuratively. Intrepidity is firm, unshaken courage. Gallantry is adventurous courage, which courts danger with a high and cheerful spirit. A man may show courage, fortitude, or intrepidity in the common pursuits of life, as well as in war. Valor, bravery, and gallantry are displayed in the contest of arms. Valor belongs only to battle; bravery may be shown in single combat; gallantry may be manifested either in attack or defense; but in the latter ease, the defense is usually turned into an attack.

COURAGE Cour"age, v. t.

Defn: To inspire with courage. [Obs.] Paul writeth unto Timothy . . . to courage him. Tyndale.

COURAGEOUS Cour*a"geous (kr-"js), a. Etym: [F. courageux.]

Defn: Possessing, or characterized by, courage; brave; bold. With this victory, the women became most courageous and proud, and the men waxed . . . fearful and desperate. Stow.

Syn. -- Gallant; brave; bold; daring; valiant; valorous; heroic; intrepid; fearless; hardy; stout; adventurous; enterprising. See Gallant.

COURAGEOUSLY Cour*a"geous*ly, adv.

Defn: In a courageous manner.

COURAGEOUSNESS Cour*a"geous*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being courageous; courage.

COURANT Cou*rant" (k-rnt"), a. Etym: [F., p. pr. of courir to run, L. currere. Cf. Current.] (Her.)

Defn: Represented as running; -- said of a beast borne in a coat of arms.

COURANT Cou*rant" (k-rnt"), n. Etym: [F. courante, fr. courant, p. pr.]

1. A piece of music in triple time; also, a lively dance; a coranto.

2. A circulating gazette of news; a newspaper.

COURANTO Cou*ran"to (-rn"t), n.

Defn: A sprightly dance; a coranto; a courant.

COURAP Cou*rap" (k-rp), n. (Med.)

Defn: A skin disease, common in India, in which there is perpetual itching and eruption, esp. of the groin, breast, armpits, and face.

COURB Courb (krb), a. Etym: [F. courbe, fr. L. curvus. See Curve, a.]

Defn: Curved; rounded. [Obs.] Her neck is short, her shoulders courb. Gower.

COURB Courb (krb), v. i. Etym: [F. courber. See Curs.]

Defn: To bend; to stop; to bow. [Obs.] Then I courbed on my knees. Piers Plowman.

COURBARIL Cour"ba*ril (kr"b-rl), n. Etym: [F. courbaril, from a South American word.]

Defn: See Animé, n.

COURCHE Courche (krsh), n. Etym: [Cf. Kerchief.]

Defn: A square piece of linen used formerly by women instead of a cap; a kerchief. [Scot.] [Written also curch.] Jamieson.

COURIER Cou"ri*er (k"r-r), n. Etym: [F. courrier, fr. courre, courir, to run, L. currere. See Course, Current.]

1. A messenger sent with haste to convey letters or dispatches, usually on public busuness. The wary Bassa . . . by speedy couriers, advertised Solyman of the enemy's purpose. Knolles.

2. An attendant on travelers, whose business it is to make arrangements for their convenience at hotels and on the way.

COURLAN Cour"lan (kr"ln), n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A South American bird, of the genus Aramus, allied to the rails.

COURSE Course (krs), n. Etym: [F. cours, course, L. cursus, fr. currere to run. See Current.]

1. The act of moving from one point to another; progress; passage. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais. Acts xxi. 7.

2. THe ground or path traversed; track; way. The same horse also run the round course at Newmarket. Pennant.

3. Motion, considered as to its general or resultant direction or to its goal; line progress or advance. A light by which the Argive squadron steers Their silent course to Ilium's well known shore. Dennham. Westward the course of empire takes its way. Berkeley.

4. Progress from point to point without change of direction; any part of a progress from one place to another, which is in a straight line, or on one direction; as, a ship in a long voyage makes many courses; a course measured by a surveyor between two stations; also, a progress without interruption or rest; a heat; as, one course of a race.

5. Motion considered with reference to manner; or derly progress; procedure in a certain line of thought or action; as, the course of an argument. The course of true love never did run smooth. Shak.

6. Customary or established sequence of evants; re currence of events according to natural laws. By course of nature and of law. Davies. Day and night, Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost, Shall hold their course. Milton.

7. Method of procedure; manner or way of conducting; conduct; behavior. My lord of York commends the plot and the general course of the action. Shak. By perseverance in the course prescribed. Wodsworth. You hold your course without remorse. Tennyson.

8. A series of motions or acts arranged in order; a succession of acts or practices connectedly followed; as, a course of medicine; a course of lectures on chemistry.

9. The succession of one to another in office or duty; order; turn. He appointed . . . the courses of the priests 2 Chron. viii. 14.

10. That part of a meal served at one time, with its accompaniments. He [Goldsmith] wore fine clothes, gave dinners of several courses, paid court to venal beauties. Macualay.

11. (Arch.)

Defn: A continuous level range of brick or stones of the same height throughout the face or faces of a building. Gwilt.

12. (Naut.)

Defn: The lowest sail on any mast of a square-rigged vessel; as, the fore course, main course, etc.

13. pl. (Physiol.)

Defn: The menses. In course, in regular succession. -- Of course, by consequence; as a matter of course; in regular or natural order. -- In the course of, at same time or times during. "In the course of human events." T. Jefferson.

Syn. -- Way; road; route; passage; race; series; succession; manner; method; mode; career; progress.

COURSE Course, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coursed (krst)); p. pr. & vb. n. Coursing.]

1. To run, hunt, or chase after; to follow hard upon; to pursue. We coursed him at the heels. Shak.

2. To cause to chase after or pursue game; as, to course greyhounds after deer.

3. To run through or over. The bounding steed courses the dusty plain. Pope.

COURSE Course, v. i.

1. To run as in a race, or in hunting; to pursue the sport of coursing; as, the sportsmen coursed over the flats of Lancashire.

2. To move with speed; to race; as, the blood courses through the veins. Shak.

COURSED Coursed (krst), a.

1. Hunted; as, a coursed hare.

2. Arranged in courses; as, coursed masonry.

COURSER Cours"er (krs"r), n. Etym: [F. coursier.]

1. One who courses or hunts. leash is a leathern thong by which . . . a courser leads his greyhound. Hanmer.

2. A swift or spirited horse; a racer or a war horse; a charger. [Poetic.] Pope.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A grallatorial bird of Europe (Cursorius cursor), remarkable for its speed in running. Sometimes, in a wider sense, applied to running birds of the Ostrich family.

COURSEY Cour"sey (kr"s), n. Etym: [Cf. OF. corsie, coursie, passage way to the stern. See Course, n. ] (Naut.)

Defn: A space in the galley; a part of the hatches. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

COURSING Cours"ing (krs"ng), n.

Defn: The pursuit or running game with dogs that follow by sight instead of by scent. In coursing of a deer, or hart, with greyhounds. Bacon

COURT Court (krt), n. Etym: [OF. court, curt, cort, F. co, LL. cortis, fr. L. cohors, cors, chors, gen. cohortis, cortis, chortis, an inclosure, court, thing inclosed, crowd, throng; co- + a root akin to Gr. garden, yard, orchard. See Yard, and cf. Cohort, Curtain.]

1. An inclosed space; a courtyard; an uncovered area shut in by the walls of a building, or by different building; also, a space opening from a street and nearly surrounded by houses; a blind alley. The courts the house of our God. Ps. cxxxv. 2. And round the cool green courts there ran a row Cf cloisters. Tennyson. Goldsmith took a garret in a miserable court. Macualay.

2. The residence of a sovereign, prince, nobleman, or ether dignitary; a palace. Attends the emperor in his royal court. Shak. This our court, infected with their manners, Shows like a riotous inn. Shak.

3. The collective body of persons composing the retinue of a sovereign or person high in aithority; all the surroundings of a sovereign in his regal state. My lord, there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you. Shak. Love rules the court, the camp, the grove. Sir. W. Scott.

4. Any formal assembling of the retinue of a sovereign; as, to hold a court. The princesses held their court within the fortres. Macualay.

5. Attention directed to a person in power; conduct or address designed to gain favor; courtliness of manners; civility; compliment; flattery. No solace could her paramour intreat Her once to show, ne court, nor dalliance. Spenser. I went to make my court to the Dike and Duches of Newcastle. Evelyn.

6. (Law) (a) The hall, chamber, or place, where justice is administered. (b) The persons officially assembled under authority of law, at the appropriate time and place, for the administration of justice; an official assembly, legally met together for the transaction of judicial business; a judge or judges sitting for the hearing or trial of causes. (c) A tribunal established for the administration of justice. (d) The judge or judges; as distinguished from the counsel or jury, or both. Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment. Shak.

7. The session of a judicial assembly.

8. Any jurisdiction, civil, military, or ecclesiastical.

9. A place arranged for playing the game of tennis; also, one of the divisions of a tennis court. Christian court, the English ecclesiastical courts in the aggregate, or any one of them. -- Court breeding, education acquired at court. -- Court card. Same as Coat card. -- Court circular, one or more paragraphs of news respecting the sovereign and the royal family, together with the proceedings or movements of the court generally, supplied to the newspapers by an officer specially charged with such duty. [Eng.] Edwards. -- Court day, a day on which a court sits to administer justice. -- Court dress, the dress prescribed for appearance at the court of a sovereign. -- Court fool, a buffoon or jester, formerly kept by princes and nobles for their amusement. -- Court guide, a directory of the names and adresses of the nobility and gentry in a town. -- Court hand, the hand or manner of writing used in records and judicial proceedings. Shak. -- Court lands (Eng. Law), lands kept in demesne, -- that is, for the use of the lord and his family. -- Court marshal, one who acts as marshal for a court. -- Court party, a party attached to the court. -- Court rolls, the records of a court. SeeRoll. -- Court in banc, or Court in bank, The full court sitting at its regular terms for the hearing of arguments upon questions of law, as distinguished from a sitting at nisi prius. -- Court of Arches, audience, etc. See under Arches, Audience, etc. -- Court of Chancery. See Chancery, n. -- Court of Common pleas. (Law) See Common pleas, under Common. -- Court of Equity. See under Equity, and Chancery. -- Court of Inquiry (Mil.) , a court appointed to inquire into and report on some military matter, as the conduct of an officer. -- Court of St. James, the usual designation of the British Court; - - so called from the old palace of St. James, which is used for the royal receptions, levees, and drawing-rooms. -- The court of the Lord, the temple at Jerusalem; hence, a church, or Christian house of worship. -- General Court, the legislature of a State; -- so called from having had, in the colonial days, judical power; as, the General Court of Massachusetts. [U.S.] -- To pay one's court, to seek to gain favor by attentions. "Alcibiades was assiduous in paying his court to Tissaphernes." Jowett. -- To put out of court, to refuse further judicial hearing.

COURT Court, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Courted; p. pr. & vb. n. Courting.]

1. To endeavor to gain the favor of by attention or flattery; to try to ingratiate one's self with. By one person, hovever, Portland was still assiduously courted. Macualay.

2. To endeavor to gain the affections of; to seek in marriage; to woo. If either of you both love Katharina . . . leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure. Shak.

3. To attempt to gain; to solicit; to seek. They might almost seem to have courted the crown of martyrdem. Prescott. Guilt and misery . . . court privacy and silitude. De Quincey.

4. To invite by attractions; to allure; to attract. A well-worn pathway courted us To one green wicket in a privet hedge. Tennyson.

COURT Court, v. i.

1. To play the lover; to woo; as, to go courting.

COURT-BARON Court"-bar`on (-br`n), n. (Law)

Defn: An inferior court of civil jurisdiction, attached to a manor, and held by the steward; a baron's court; -- now fallen into disuse.

COURTBRED Court"bred` (-brd`), a.

Defn: Bred, or educated, at court; polished; courtly.

COURT-CRAFT Court"-craft` (krt"krft`), n.

Defn: The artifices, intrigues, and plottings, at courts.

COURT-CUPBOARD Court"-cup`board (-kb`brd), n.

Defn: A movable sideboard or buffet, on which plate and other articles of luxury were displayed on special ocasions. [Obs.] A way with the joint stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. Shak.

COURTELLE Courtelle n.

Defn: a wool-like fabric. [WordNet 1.5]

COURTEOUS Cour"te*ous (kr"t-s; 277), a. Etym: [OE. cortais, corteis, cortois, rarely corteous, OF. corties, corteis, F. courtois. See Court.]

Defn: Of courtlike manners; pertaining to, or exxpressive of, courtesy; characterized by courtesy; civil; obliging; well bred; polite; affable; complaisant. A patient and courteous bearing. Prescott. His behavior toward his people is grave and courteous. Fuller.

COURTEOUSLY Cour"te*ous*ly, adv.

Defn: In a courteous manner.

COURTEOUSNESS Cour"te*ous*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being courteous; politeness; courtesy.

COURTEPY Cour"te*py (kr"t-p), n. Etym: [D. kort short + pije a coarse cloth.]

Defn: A short coat of coarse cloth. [Obs.] Full threadbare was his overeste courtepy. Chaucer.

COURTER Court"er (krt"r), n.

Defn: One who courts; one who plays the lover, or who solicits in marriage; one who flatters and cajoles. Sherwood.

COURTESAN Cour"te*san (kr"t-zn; 277), n. Etym: [F. courtisane, fr. courtisan courtier, It. cortigiano; or directly fr. It. cortigiana, or Sp. cortesana. See Court.]

Defn: A woman who prostitutes herself for hire; a prostitute; a harlot. Lasciviously decked like a courtesan. Sir H. Wotton.

COURTESANSHIP Cour"te*san*ship, n.

Defn: Harlotry.

COURTESY Cour"te*sy (kr"t-s), n.; pl. Courtesies (-s. Etym: [OE. cortaisie, corteisie, courtesie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, OF. curteisie, cortoisie, F. courtoisie, fr. curteis, corteis. See Courteous.]

1. Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness. And trust thy honest-offered courtesy, With oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, With smoky rafters, than in tapestry walls And courts of princes, where it first was named, And yet is most pretended. Milton. Pardon me, Messer Claudio, if once more I use the ancient courtesies of speech. Longfellow.

2. An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness. My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you. Shak.

3. Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right; as, a title given one by courtesy. Courtesy title, a title assumed by a person, or popularly conceded to him, to which he has no valid claim; as, the courtesy title of Lord prefixed to the names of the younger sons of noblemen.

Syn. -- Politiness; urbanity; civility; complaisance; affability; courteousness; elegance; refinement; courtliness; good breeding. See Politeness.

COURTESY Courte"sy (krt"s), n. Etym: [See the preceding word.]

Defn: An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the kness. [Written also curtsy.] The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual. Golgsmith.

COURTESY Courte"sy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Courtesied (-sd);; p. pr. & vb. n. Courtesyng.]

Defn: To make a respectful salutation or movement of respect; esp. (with reference to women), to bow the body slightly, with bending of the knes.

COURTESY Courte"sy, v. t.

Defn: To treat with civility. [Obs.]

COURTHOUSE Court"house`, n.

1. A house in which established courts are held, or a house appropriated to courts and public meetings. [U.S.]

2. A county town; -- so called in Virginia and some others of the Southern States. Providence, the county town of Fairfax, is unknown by that name, and passes as Fairfax Court House. Barlett.

COURTIER Court"ier (krt"yr), n. Etym: [From Court.]

1. One who is in attendance at the court of a prince; one who has an appointment at court. You know I am no courtier, nor versed in state affairs. Bacon. This courtier got a frigate, and that a company. Macualay.

2. One who courts or solicits favor; one who flatters. There was not among all our princes a greater courtier of the people than Richard III. Suckling.

COURTIERY Court"ier*y (-), n.

Defn: The manners of a courtier; courtliness. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

COURT-LEET Court"-leet` (-lt`), n. (Eng. Law)

Defn: A court of record held once a year, in a particular hundred, lordship, or manor, before the steward of the leet. Blackstone.

COURTLIKE Court"like` (-lk`), a.

Defn: After the manner of a court; elegant; polite; courtly.

COURTLINESS Court"li*ness (-l-ns), n. Etym: [From Courtly.]

Defn: The quality of being courtly; elegance or dignity of manners.

COURTLING Court"ling (-lng), n. Etym: [Court + -ling.]

Defn: A sycophantic courtier. B. Jonson.

COURTLY Court"ly (-l), a. Etym: [From Court.]

1. Relating or belonging to a court.

2. Elegant; polite; courtlike; flattering. In courtly company or at my beads. Shak.

3. Disposed to favor the great; favoring the policy or party of the court; obsequious. Macualay.

COURTLY Court"ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of courts; politely; gracefully; elegantly. They can produce nothing so courtly writ. Dryden

COURT-MARTIAL Court`-mar"tial (krt`mr"shal), n.; pl. Courts-martial (k.

Defn: A court consisting of military or naval officers, for the trial of one belonging to the army or navy, or of offenses against military or naval law.

COURT-MARTIAL Court`-mar"tial, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Court-martialed (-shald); p. pr. & vb. n. Court-martialing.]

Defn: To subject to trial by a court-martial.

COURT-PLASTER Court"-plas`ter (krt"pls`tr), n.

Defn: Sticking plaster made by coating taffeta or silk on one side with some adhesive substance, commonly a mixture of isinglass and glycerin.

COURTSHIP Court"ship (krt"shp), n.

1. The act of paying court, with the intent to solicit a favor. Swift.

2. The act of wooing in love; solicitation of woman to marriage. This method of courtship, [by which] both sides are prepared for all the matrimonial adventures that are to follow. Goldsmith.

3. Courtliness; elegance of manners; courtesy. [Obs.] Trim gallants, full of courtship and of state. Shak.

4. Court policy; the character of a courtier; artifice of a court; court-craft; finesse. [Obs.] She [the Queen] being composed of courtship and Popery. Fuller.

COURT TENNIS Court" ten"nis (krt" tn"ns).

Defn: See under Tennis.

COURTYARD Court"yard (krt"yrd`), n.

Defn: A court or inclosure attached to a house.

COUSCOUS Cous"cous` (ks"ks`), n.

Defn: A kind of food used by the natives of Western Africa, made of millet flour with flesh, and leaves of the baobab; -- called also lalo.

COUSCOUSOU Cous`cou*sou" (ks`k-s"), n.

Defn: A favorite dish in Barbary. See Couscous.

COUSIN Cous"in (kz"'n), n. Etym: [F. cousin, LL. cosinus, cusinus, contr. from L. consobrinus the child of a mother's sister, cousin; con- + sobrinus a cousin by the mother's side, a form derived fr. soror (forsosor) sister. See Sister, and cf. Cozen, Coz.]

1. One collaterally related more remotely than a brother or sister; especially, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.

Note: The children of brothers and sisters are usually denominated first cousins, or cousins-german. In the second generation, they are called second cousins. See Cater-cousin, and Quater-cousin. Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, A cousin-german to great Priam's seed. Shak.

2. A title formerly given by a king to a nobleman, particularly to those of the council. In English writs, etc., issued by the crown, it signifies any earl. My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow. Shak.

COUSIN Cous"in, n.

Defn: Allied; akin. [Obs.] Chaucer.

COUSINAGE Cous"in*age (-j), n. Etym: [F. cousinage, OF., also, cosinage. Cf. Cosinage, Cozenage.]

Defn: Relationship; kinship. [Obs.] Wyclif.

COUSIN-GERMAN Cous"in-ger"man (-jr"man), n. Etym: [Cousin + german closely akin.]

Defn: A first cousin. See Note under Cousin, 1.

COUSINHOOD Cous"in*hood (-hd), n.

Defn: The state or condition of a cousin; also, the collective body of cousins; kinsfolk.

COUSINLY Cous"in*ly, a.

Defn: Like or becoming a cousin.

COUSINRY Cous"in*ry (kz"'n-r), n.

Defn: A body or collection of cousins; the whole number of persons who stand in the relation of cousins to a given person or persons.

COUSINSHIP Cous"in*ship, n.

Defn: The relationship of cousins; state of being cousins; cousinhood. G. Eliot.

COUSSINET Cous"si*net` (ks"s-nt`), n. Etym: [F., dim. of coussin cushion. See Cushionet.] (Arch.) (a) A stone placed on the impost of a pier for receiving the first stone of an arch. (b) That part of the Ionic capital between the abacus and quarter round, which forms the volute. Gwilt.

COUTEAU Cou*teau" (k-t"), n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A knife; a dagger.

COUTH Couth (kth), imp. & p. p. of Can. Etym: [See Can, and cf. Uncouth.]

Defn: Could; was able; knew or known; understood. [Obs.] Above all other one Daniel He loveth, for he couth well Divine, that none other couth; To him were all thing couth, As he had it of God's grace. Gower.

COUVADE Cou`vade" (k`vd"), n. Etym: [F., fr. couver. See Covey.]

Defn: A custom, among certain barbarous tribes, that when a woman gives birth to a child her husband takes to his bed, as if ill. The world-wide custom of the couvade, where at childbirth the husband undergoes medical treatment, in many cases being put to bed for days. Tylor.

COUVEUSE Cou`veuse", n. [F.] (Med.)

Defn: An incubator for sickly infants, esp. those prematurely born.

COVARIANT Co*va"ri*ant (k-v"r-ant), n. (Higher Alg.)

Defn: A function involving the coefficients and the variables of a quantic, and such that when the quantic is lineally transformed the same function of the new variables and coefficients shall be equal to the old function multiplied by a factor. An invariant is a like function involving only the coefficients of the quantic.

COVE Cove (kv), n. Etym: [AS. cofa room; akin to G. koben pigsty, orig., hut, Icel kofi hut, and perh. to E. cobalt.]

1. A retired nook; especially, a small, sheltered inlet, creek, or bay; a recess in the shore. Vessels which were in readiness for him within secret coves and nooks. Holland.

2. A strip of prairie extending into woodland; also, a recess in the side of a mountain. [U.S.]

3. (Arch.) (a) A concave molding. (b) A member, whose section is a concave curve, used especially with regard to an inner roof or ceiling, as around a skylight.

COVE Cove, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coved (kvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Coving.] (Arch.)

Defn: To 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. H. Swinburne. Coved ceiling, a ceiling, the part of which next the wail is constructed in a cove. -- Coved vault, a vault composed of four coves meeting in a central point, and therefore the reverse of a groined vault.

COVE Cove, v. t. Etym: [CF. F. couver, It. covare. See Covey.]

Defn: To brood, cover, over, or sit over, as birds their eggs. [Obs.] Not being able to cove or sit upon them [eggs], she [the female tortoise] bestoweth them in the gravel. Holland.

COVE Cove, n. Etym: [A gypsy word, covo that man, covi that woman.]

Defn: A boy or man of any age or station. [Slang] There's a gentry cove here. Wit's Recreations (1654). Now, look to it, coves, that all the beef and drink Be not filched from us. Mrs. Browning.

COVELLINE; COVELLITE Co*vel"line (k-vl"ln), Co*vel"lite (-lt), n. Etym: [After Covelli, the discoverer.] (Min.)

Defn: A native sulphide of copper, occuring in masses of a dark blue color; -- hence called indigo copper.

COVENABLE Cov"e*na*ble (kv"-n-b'l), a. Etym: [OF. covenable, F. convenable. See Covenant.]

Defn: Fit; proper; suitable. [Obs.] "A covenable day." Wyclif (Mark vi. 21).

COVENABLY Cov"e*na*bly (kv"-n-bly), adv.

Defn: Fitly; suitably. [Obs.] "Well and covenably." Chaucer.

COVENANT Cov"e*nant (kv"-nant), n. Etym: [OF. covenant, fr. F. & OF. convenir to agree, L. convenire. See Convene.]

1. A mutual agreement of two or more persons or parties, or one of the stipulations in such an agreement. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant. 1 Sam. xviiii. 3. Let there be covenants drawn between us. Shak. If we conclude a peace, It shall be with such strict and severe covenants As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby. Shak.

2. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: An agreement made by the Scottish Parliament in 1638, and by the English Parliament in 1643, to preserve the reformed religion in Scotland, and to extirpate popery and prelacy; -- usually called the "Solemn League and Covenant." He [Wharton] was born in the days of the Covenant, and was the heir of a covenanted house. Macualay.

3. (Theol.)

Defn: The promises of God as revealed in the Scriptures, conditioned on certain terms on the part of man, as obedience, repentance, faith, etc. I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Gen. xvii. 7.

4. A solemn compact between members of a church to maintain its faith, discipline, etc.

5. (Law) (a) An undertaking, on sufficient consideration, in writing and under seal, to do or to refrain from some act or thing; a contract; a stipulation; also, the document or writing containing the terms of agreement. (b) A form of action for the violation of a promise or contract under seal.

Syn. -- Agreement; contract; compact; bargain; arrangement; stipulation. -- Covenant, Contract, Compact, Stipulation. These words all denote a mutual agreement between two parties. Covenant is frequently used in a religious sense; as, the covenant of works or of grace; a church covenant; the Solemn League and Covenant. Contract is the word most used in the business of life. Crabb and Taylor are wrong in saying that a contract must always be in writing. There are oral and implied contracts as well as written ones, and these are equally enforced by law. In legal usage, the word covenant has an important place as connected with contracts. A compact is only a stronger and more solemn contract. The term is chiefly applied to political alliances. Thus, the old Confederation was a compact between the States. Under the present Federal Constitution, no individual State can, without consent of Congress, enter into a compact with any other State or foreign power. A stipulation is one of the articles or provisions of a contract.

COVENANT Cov"e*nant (kv"-nnt), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Covenanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Covenanting.]

Defn: To agree (with); to enter into a formal agreement; to bind one's self by contract; to make a stipulation. Jupiter covenanted with him, that it should be hot or cold, wet or dry, . . . as the tenant should direct. L'Estrange. And they covenanted with him for thyrty pieces of silver. Matt. xxvi. 15.

Syn. -- To agree; contract; bargain; stipulate.

COVENANT Cov"e*nant, v. t.

Defn: To grant or promise by covenant. My covenant of peace that I covenanted with you. Wyclif.

COVENANTEE Cov`e*nan*tee" (kv`-nan-t"), n. (Law)

Defn: The person in whose favor a covenant is made.

COVENANTER Cov"e*nant*er (kv"-nnt-r), n.

1. One who makes a covenant.

2. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: One who subscribed and defended the "Solemn League and Covenant." See Covenant.

COVENANTING Cov"e*nant*ing, a.

Defn: Belonging to a covenant. Specifically, belonging to the Scotch Covenanters. Be they covenanting traitors, Or the brood of false Argyle Aytoun.

COVENANTOR Cov"e*nant*or` (-r`), n. (Law)

Defn: The party who makes a covenant. Burrill.

COVENOUS Cov"e*nous (kv"-ns), a.

Defn: See Covinous, and Covin.

COVENT Cov"ent (kv"ent), n. Etym: [OF. covent, F. couvent. See Convent.]

Defn: A convent or monastery. [Obs.] Bale. Covent Garden, a large square in London, so called because originally it was the garden of a monastery.

COVENTRY Cov"en*try (kv"en-tr), n.

Defn: A town in the county of Warwick, England. To send to Coventry, to exclude from society; to shut out from social intercourse, as for ungentlemanly conduct. -- Coventry blue, blue thread of a superior dye, made at Coventry, England, and used for embroidery.

COVER Cov"er (kv"r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Covered (-rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Covering.] Etym: [OF. covrir, F. couvrir, fr. L. cooperire; co- + operire to cover; probably fr. ob towards, over + the root appearing in aperire to open. Cf. Aperient, Overt, Curfew.]

1. To overspread the surface of (one thing) with another; as, to cover wood with paint or lacquer; to cover a table with a cloth.

2. To envelop; to clothe, as with a mantle or cloak. And with the majesty of darkness round Covers his throune. Milton. All that beauty than doth cover thee. Shak.

3. To invest (one's self with something); to bring upon (one's self); as, he covered himself with glory. The powers that covered themselves with everlasting infamy by the partition of Poland. Brougham.

4. To hide sight; to conceal; to cloak; as, the snemy were covered from our sight by the woods. A cloud covered the mount. Exod. xxiv. 15. In vain shou striv'st to cover shame with shame. Milton.

5. To brood or sit on; to incubate. While the hen is covering her eggs, the male . . . diverts her with his songs. Addison.

6. To overwhelm; to spread over. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen. Ex. xiv. 28.

7. To shelter, as from evil or danger; to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat. His calm and blameless life Does with substantial blessedness abound, And the soft wings of peace cover him round. Cowley.

8. To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit."Blessed is he whose is covered." Ps. xxxii. 1.

9. To extend over; to be sufficient for; to comprehend, include, or embrace; to account for or solve; to counterbalance; as, a mortgage which fully covers a sum loaned on it; a law which covers all possible cases of a crime; receipts than do not cover expenses.

10. To put the usual covering or headdress on. Cover thy head . . . ; nay, prithee, be covered. Shak.

11. To copulate with (a female); to serve; as. a horse covers a mare; -- said of the male. 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.

COVER Cov"er (kv"r), n.

1. Anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book.

2. Anything which weils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloack. "Under cover of the night." Macualay. A hendsome cover for imperfections. Collier.

3. Shelter; protection; as, the troops fought under cover of the batteries; the woods afforded a good cover. Being compelled to lodge in the field . . . whilst his army was under cover, they might be forced to retire. Clarendon.

4. (Huntig)

Defn: The woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover.

5. That portion of a slate, tile, or shingle, which is hidden by the overlap of the course above. Knight.

6. (Steam Engine)

Defn: The lap of a slide valve.

7. Etym: [Cf. F. couvert.]

Defn: A tablecloth, and the other table furniture; esp., the table furniture for the use of one person at a meal; as, covers were laid for fifty guests. 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.

COVER Cov"er, v. i.

Defn: To spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet. [Obs.] Shak.

COVERAGE Cov"er*age, n.

Defn: The aggregate of risks covered by the terms of a contract of insurance.

COVERCHIEF Cov"er*chief (chf), n. Etym: [See Kerchef.]

Defn: A covering for the head. [Obs.] Chaucer.

COVERCLE Cov"er*cle (kv"r-k'l), n. Etym: [OF. covercle, F. couvercle, fr. L. coöperculum fr. coöperire. See cover]

Defn: A small cover; a lid. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

COVER CROP Cov"er crop.

Defn: A catch crop planted, esp. in orchards. as a protection to the soil in winter, as well as for the benefit of the soil when plowed under in spring.

COVERED Cov"ered (kv"rd), a.

Defn: Under cover; screened; sheltered; not exposed; hidden. Covered way (Fort.), a corridor or banquette along the top of the counterscarp and covered by an embankment whose slope forms the glacis. It gives the garrisonn an open line of communication around the works, and a standing place beyond the ditch. See Illust. of Ravelin.

COVERER Cov"er*er (-r), n.

Defn: One who, or that which, covers.

COVERING Cov"er*ing, n.

Defn: Anything which covers or conceals, as a roof, a screen, a wrapper, clothing, etc. Noah removed the covering of the ark. Gen. viii. 13. They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. Job. xxiv. 7. A covering over the well's mouth. 2 Sam. xvii. 19.

COVERLET Cov"er*let (kv"r-lt), n. Etym: [F. couvre-lit; couvrir to cover + lit bed, fr. L. lectus bed. See Cover.]

Defn: The uppermost cover of a bed or of any piece of furniture. Lay her in lilies and in violets . . . And odored sheets and arras coverlets. Spenser.

COVERLID Cov"er*lid (-ld), n.

Defn: A coverlet. All the coverlid was clocth of gold. Tennyson.

COVER-POINT Cov"er-point` (-point!), n.

Defn: The fielder in the games of cricket and lacrosse who supports "point."

COVERSED SINE Co*versed" sine (k-vrst" sn`). Etym: [Co- (=co- in co- sine) + versed sine.] (Geom.)

Defn: The versed sine of the complement of an arc or angle. See Illust. of Functions.

COVER-SHAME Cov"er-shame` (-shm`), n.

Defn: Something used to conceal infamy. [Obs.] Dryden.

COVERSIDE Cov"er*side`, n.

Defn: A region of country having covers; a hunting country.

COVERT Cov"ert (kv"rt), a. Etym: [OF. covert, F. couvert, p. p. of couvrir. See Cover, v. t.]

1. Covered over; private; hid; secret; disguised. How covert matters may be best disclosed. Shak. Whether of open war or covert guile. Milton

2. Sheltered; not open or exposed; retired; protected; as, a covert nook. Wordsworth. Of either side the green, to plant a covert alley. Bacon.

3. (Law)

Defn: Under cover, authority or protection; as, a feme covert, a married woman who is considered as being under the protection and control of her husband. Covert way, (Fort.) See Covered way, under Covered.

Syn. -- Hidden; secret; private; covered; disguised; insidious; concealed. See Hidden.

COVERT Cov"ert, n. Etym: [OF. See Covert, a.]

1. A place that covers and protects; a shelter; a defense. A tabernacle . . . for a covert from storm. Is. iv. 6. The highwayman has darted from his covered by the wayside. Prescott.

2. Etym: [Cf. F. couverte.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the special feathers covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird. See Illust. of Bird.

COVERT BARON Cov"ert bar`on (br`n). (Law)

Defn: Under the protection of a husband; married. Burrill.

COVERTLY Cov"ert*ly, adv.

Defn: Secretly; in private; insidiously.

COVERTNESS Cov"ert*ness (kv"rt-ns), n.

Defn: Secrecy; privacy. [R.]

COVERTURE Cov"er*ture (kv"r-tr; 135), n. Etym: [OF. coverture,F.couverture.]

1. Covering; shelter; defence; hiding. Protected by walls or other like coverture. Woodward. Beatrice, who even now Is couched in the woodbine coverture. Shak.

2. (Law)

Defn: The condition of a woman during marriage, because she is considered under the cover, influence, power, and protection of her husband, and therefore called a feme covert, or femme couverte.

COVET Cov"et (kv"t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Covered; p. pr. & vb. n. Coveting.] Etym: [OF. coveitier, covoitier, F. convoiter, from a derivative fr. L. cupere to desire; cf. Skr. kup to become excited. Cf. Cupidity.]

1. To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of; -- used in a good sen Covet earnestly the best gifts. 1. Cor. xxii. 31. If it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive. Shak.

2. To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden). Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house. Ex. xx. 17.

Syn: To long for; desire; hanker after; crave.

COVET Cov"et, v. i.

Defn: To have or indulge inordinate desire. Which [money] while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith. 1 Tim. vi. 10.

COVETABLE Cov"et*a*ble (kv"t--b'l), a.

Defn: That may be coveted; desirable.

COVETER Cov"et*er (-r), n.

Defn: One who covets.

COVETISE Cov"et*ise (-s), n. Etym: [OF. coveitise, F. convoitise. See Covet, v. t. ]

Defn: Avarice. [Obs.] Spenser.

COVETIVENESS Cov"et*ive*ness (-v-), n. (Phren.)

Defn: Acquisitiveness.

COVETOUS Cov"et*ous (kv"t-s), a. Etym: [OF. coveitos, F. convoiteux. See Covet, v. t.]

1. Very desirous; eager to obtain; -- used in a good sense. [Archaic] Covetous of wisdom and fair virtue. Shak. Covetous death bereaved us all, To aggrandize one funeral. Emerson.

2. Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain and possess (esp. money); avaricious; -- in a bad sense. The covetous person lives as if the world were madealtogether for him, and not he for the world. South.

Syn. -- Avaricious; parsimonious; penurious; misrely; niggardly. See Avaricious.

COVETOUSLY Cov"et*ous*ly, adv.

Defn: In a covetous manner.

COVETOUSNESS Cov"et*ous*ness, n.

1. Strong desire. [R.] When workmen strive to do better than well, They do confound their skill in covetousness. Shak.

2. A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; excessive desire for riches or money; -- in a bad sense. Covetousness, by a greed of getting more, deprivess itself of the true end of getting. Sprat.

Syn. -- Avarice; cupidity; eagerness.

COVEY Cov"ey (kv"), n. Etym: [OF. cov, F. couv, fr. cover, F. couver, to sit or brood on, fr. L. cubare to lie down; cf. E. incubate. See Cubit, and cf. Cove to brood.]

1. A brood or hatch of birds; an old bird with her brood of young; hence, a small flock or number of birds together; -- said of game; as, a covey of partridges. Darwin.

2. A company; a bevy; as, a covey of girls. Addison.

COVEY Cov"ey, v. i.

Defn: To brood; to incubate. [Obs.] [Tortoises] covey a whole year before they hatch. Holland.

COVEY Cov"ey, n.

Defn: A pantry. [Prov. Eng.] Parker.

COVIN Cov"in (kv"n), n. Etym: [OF. covine, covaine, fr. covenir to agree. See Covenant.]

1. (Law)

Defn: A collusive agreement between two or more persons to prejudice a third.

2. Deceit; fraud; artifice. [Obs.] Chaucer.