Wiktionary

uncover

English

edit

Etymology

edit

From Middle English uncoveren, equivalent to un- +‎ cover.

Pronunciation

edit

Verb

edit

uncover (third-person singular simple present uncovers, present participle uncovering, simple past and past participle uncovered)

  1. To remove a cover from.
    The model railway was uncovered.
  2. To reveal the identity of.
    The murderer has finally been uncovered.
  3. To show openly; to disclose; to reveal.
  4. (reflexive, intransitive) To remove one's hat or cap as a mark of respect.
    • 1824, Town and Country Tales, page 115:
      Alfred, surprised to meet his father, whom he thought absent from home, […] stood, holding his firelock in one hand, and his hat in the other, having uncovered himself as soon as he perceived his father.
    • 1891, N. H. Chamberlain, “In the Footprints of Burgoyne's Army”, in New England Magazine, volume 4, Boston, MA: New England Magazine Corporation:
      The English soldiers were directed in general orders to salute and uncover before the Host as it passed, and here in the wilderness the old religion held firm sway.
  5. (reflexive, intransitive) To expose the genitalia.
    • 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 159:
      The phallus had power to subdue the attacks of demons and the Evil Eye; and the female organs were potent over elemental disturbances, thus a woman uncovering herself could quell a storm.
  6. (military, transitive) To expose (lines of formation of troops) successively by the wheeling to right or left of the lines in front.

Synonyms

edit

Antonyms

edit

Translations

edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=uncover&oldid=82562738"