Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!) Easter eggs (New!)

Literary notes about covert (AI summary)

In literature, the word covert carries multiple layers of meaning, ranging from the literal sense of shelter or a natural covering to the more abstract notion of hidden intent and secret communication. Authors have used it to evoke the image of a protective canopy—such as the biblical "covert of thy wings" that suggests divine shelter ([1], [2], [3])—while it simultaneously serves as a metaphor for clandestine operations or surreptitious behavior in contexts of political intrigue or personal interactions ([4], [5], [6]). Poets and novelists alike harness the term to depict quiet, furtive glances or subtle judgments imbued with secret meaning ([7], [8], [9]), and even legal and societal structures are reflected in its use when discussing the subjugation of women ([10], [11]). Thus, whether referring to the physical cover of a forest or the hidden nature of human motives, covert remains a flexible and evocative term that enriches the texture of literary language.
  1. In thy tabernacle I shall dwell for ever: I shall be protected under the covert of thy wings.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  2. And he made darkness his covert, his pavilion round about him: dark waters in the clouds of the air.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  3. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  4. In some cases, the belligerent powers used the identical radio transmission facilities for overt and covert propaganda.
    — from Psychological Warfare by Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger
  5. Another proposal was to appoint Rizal district health officer for Dapitan, but this was merely a covert government bribe.
    — from Lineage, Life and Labors of José Rizal, Philippine Patriot by Austin Craig
  6. It even throws up a bunch of "chaff" communications that are supposed to disguise the fact that you're doing anything covert.
    — from Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
  7. As we sat at the table, Otto Fuchs and I kept stealing covert glances at each other.
    — from My Ántonia by Willa Cather
  8. I cast a covert glance at Uncle Tom's photograph behind his back.
    — from Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse
  9. As it was, he took her words for a covert judgment, and was certain that she thought his sketch detestable.
    — from Middlemarch by George Eliot
  10. The wife is regarded by all legal authorities as a " feme-covert ," placed wholly sub potestate viri .
    — from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I
  11. When a woman marries, we call her condition coverture, and speak of her as a femme covert .
    — from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Threepeat Redux