New Word #19: “COV” Related

ESL, quotes, vocabulary 1 Minute

I hope words starting with “cov” are not unfairly vilified due to the pandemic.

I won’t include cover and coverage here since these two words are too commonly used. My favorite “cov” word is covet. For a long time, I didn’t know the difference between desire and covet despite all the explanations I reviewed. Then one day I thought the difference probably lies in the fact that desire has a positive connotation while covet has a negative one. Or probably desire is something permitted by social sanctions, while covet is yearning for something one should not yearn for (and which can probably lead to disasters, for example Hamlet’s uncle covets his sister-in-law and the crown).

Does this mean one should leave one’s desire alone while suppressing one’s covet?

I’ve never used covet in my writing–probably I am too unadventurous about word usage. I also like the word coven, which means a kind of witch convention with brooms, cauldrons, boiling potions. This image is actually quite engrossing.

So here is the list of “COV” words:

cove: a small sheltered bay.

covenant: an agreement or a legal contract.

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

covert: not openly acknowledged or displayed. It often refers to a secret mission–covert operation–of a government or a military establishment.

convent: a Christian community under monastic vows, especially one of nuns. This is not strictly “cov” type of words, but I can’t help including it here since I sometimes confuse covert with convent or convert.

covet: yearn to possess or have (something).

covetous: having or showing a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else.

covey: a small party or flock of birds, especially partridge.

coverture: protective or concealing covering.

coven: a group or gathering of witches who meet regularly.

Published by haoyando

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