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cove¹ Definition

cove (kōv)

noun

  1. a sheltered nook or recess, as in cliffs
  2. a small bay or inlet
  3. ☆ a small valley or pass
  4. ☆ a strip of open land extending into the woods
  5. Archit.
    1. a concave molding, esp. one where the wall meets the ceiling or floor
    2. a trough for concealed light fixtures on a wall near a ceiling
    3. a concave arch or vault

Etymology: ME < OE cofa, cave, cell < IE *gupā, den < base *geu-, to bend, arch > cod, coomb

transitive verb, intransitive verb coved, cov′·ing

to form in a cove; curve concavely

cove² Definition

cove (kōv)

noun

Brit., Slang a boy or man; chap; fellow

Etymology: Romany covo, that man

cove Synonyms

cove

n.

  1. Bay

    inlet, sound, lagoon; see bay.

  2. Recess

    cavern, retreat, nook; see hole 3, recess 3.

cove Usage Examples

Object

  • ceiling: ON THE FIRST FLOOR Landing Radiator, coved ceiling, double glazed window.
  • cornice: Separate wc with obscure glazed window to front, coved cornice.
  • radiator: Bedroom 2 12'4 X 9 ' with coving, radiator, double glazed patio doors opening onto balcony to rear.

Converse of object

  • desert: Many deserted coves can be reached only from the sea Sicily has many companies offering diving holidays.
  • overlook: Mykonos: A holiday Villa with panoramic views. situated on a gently sloping hillside overlooking a serene cove with a secluded beach.
  • shelter: A five minute walk will take you to the popular cove sheltered between steep headlands.
  • explore: Hire a boat to explore the coves near Dassia.

Adjective modifier

  • secluded: A secluded sandy cove can be found even in summer.
  • sandy: A secluded sandy cove can be found even in summer.
  • rocky: In Puerto de Santiago there is a rocky cove with three pools full of marine life.
  • sheltered: The small sheltered cove has a gently sloping sandy beach.
  • hidden: Each hidden cove revealed a better place to swim, the water a more intense hue of emerald.
  • pebbly: The hotel is set above the pebbly coves of the coast amid pleasant terraces and gardens planted with bougainvillea.

Modifies a noun

beach: Several unspoiled sandy cove beaches lie within easy reach.

Noun used with modifier

  • smuggler: Mix of long sandy beaches, high cliffs and smugglers coves.
  • shingle: For a delightful small sand and shingle beach cove head for Churston Cove on the edge of Brixham.
  • pebble: Naoussa has its own shingle and pebble coves, with windsurfing out in the bay.
  • fishing: Valley View House is a charming granite house nestling in a traditional Cornish fishing cove.

Possessives

smuggler: Enjoy spectacular coastal walks or explore the sandy bays, smugglers ' coves, rocky pools and cliffs.

Preposition: of

sand: Right on our doorstep is a lovely unspoiled cove of soft sand which has fantastic views all along the south coast.