Cove

n. [A.-S. cofa, cove, cave, room, O. H. Ger. chuofa, a large jar, N. H. Ger. kufe, Lat. cupa, It. cova, covo, den, O. Sp. coba, N. Sp. cueva, cave, Bisc. coba, cobia, Pg. cova, pit, Lat. cavum, cavity, from cavus, -a, -um, hollow, Sp. & Pg. al-cova, alcoba, It. alcova, alcove, Ar. al-kubba, vault. See ALCOVE.]

1Sense 1. A retired nook; especially, a small inlet, creek, or bay; a recess in the sea-shore.

Vessels ready for him within secret coves and nooks. Holland.

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

3Sense 3. A boy or man of any age or station. [Slang.]

Now, look to it, coves, that all the beef and drink Be not filched from us. E. B. Browning.

This cant term for a man is found at an early period. “There's a gentry cove here.”

Wit's Recreations, 1654.

v. t. 1. To brood, cover, 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.

2Sense 2. (Arch.) To arch over. “Domes and coved roofs.” Swinburne.