covey

[ kuhv-ee ]

/ ˈkʌv i /

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noun, plural cov·eys.

a brood or small flock of partridges or similar birds.

a group, set, or company.

Nearby words

covert coat, covert sensitization, coverture, covet, covetous, covey, covilhã, covin, covina, covington, cow

Origin of covey

1400–50; Middle English, variant of covee < Anglo-French, Old French, noun use of feminine of past participle of cover to hatch < Latin cubāre to lie down; cf. couvade, concubine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for covey

As long as any of the covey remain unsprung, you ought not to pick up one dead bird, though you should have a dozen on the ground.
Dog Breaking|William Nelson Hutchinson
"Don't be ridiculous, John," said Cecilia, cooing like a covey (or whatever it is) of doves.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, May 26, 1920|Various
She will hatch a covey of from eighteen to twenty-two young birds from each setting.
Birds Illustrated by Color Photography [December, 1897], Vol 2. No 6.|Various
One young maid would be decidedly more congenial to her than a covey of old ones.
Furze the Cruel|John Trevena

Presently the boatman stopped and pointed, like a dog flushing a covey of partridges.
The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries|Francis Rolt-Wheeler

British Dictionary definitions for covey

covey

/ (ˈkʌvɪ) /

noun

a small flock of grouse or partridge

a small group, as of people

Word Origin for covey

C14: from Old French covee, from cover to sit on, hatch; see couvade

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012