释义 |
cov·ey I. \ˈkəvē, -vi\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French couvee, covee, from Old French covee, from feminine of cové, past participle of cover to sit on (as a female bird on eggs), brood over, from Latin cubare to lie down — more at hip 1. : a brood of birds : a mature bird or pair of birds with a brood of young : a small flock or number of birds of the same kind — used typically of partridges and certain related birds; compare bevy 2. a. : company, crowd, band, crew < a covey of friends — John Buchan > < a covey of schoolgirls — H.V.Morton > < a covey of suspicious nuns — Earle Birney > b. : a number of things of the same kind : group < barricades and a covey of tanks — Virginia A. Oakes > < a covey of queries answered for about-to-be brides — Mademoiselle > < a covey of conferences — Economist > II. \ˈkōvi\ noun (-s) Etymology: cove (III) + -y slang Britain : a young fellow |