O'vert, a.
a. [O. Fr. overt, N. Fr. ouvert, p. p. of O. Fr. ouvrir, aovrir, auvrir, N. Fr. ouvrir, Pr. adubrir, obrir, ubrir, O. It. oprire, from Lat. as if ad-deoperire, from de-operire, from de and operire, to cover.]
Sense 1. Open to view; public; apparent.
Overt and apparent virtues bring forth praise. Bacon.
Sense 2. (Law.) Not covert; open; manifest; as, an overt act of treason.
How else could it be that a market overt for plunder should be held within a short distance of the capital? Macaulay.
☞ In criminal law, an overt act is an open act done in pursuance and manifestation of a criminal design; the mere design or intent not being punishable without such act. In English law, market overt is an open market; a pound overt is an open, uncovered pound.