Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COV'ERT, a. [Fr. couvert, participle of couvrir, to cover.]

1. Covered; hid; private; secret; concealed. Whether of open war, or covert guile. – Milton.
2. Disguised; insidious.
3. Sheltered; not open or exposed; as, a covert alley or place. – Bacon. Pope.
4. Under cover, authority or protection; as, a feme-covert, a married woman who is considered as being under the influence and protection of her husband.