[f. COVER v.1 + -ING2.] That covers: see the vb. Covering-leaves (see quot.). Covering letter: a letter enclosing another letter or document; an explanatory letter. Covering price: an inclusive price.
1535. Coverdale, Ezek. xxviii. 14. Thou coueringe Cherub.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., V. v. 350. These couering Heauens.
1611. Bible, Num. iv. 5. They shall take downe the couering Vaile.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., I. 323. Orders were given for the covering and working parties … to return to camp.
1833. Regul. & Instr. Cavalry, I. 36. The covering sergeants move up to the front rank.
1877. Bennett, trans. Thomé’s Bot., iv. 86. Covering-leaves are so called because they cover or protect other parts of the plant. In this class are included the bud-scales already described and the bracts or hypsophyllary leaves.
1881. H. H. Gibbs, Double Stand., 28. 30s. per piece is a covering price.
1887. Pall Mall Gaz., 20 Jan., 14/1. Addresses … must be written legibly on the back of the designs, and not on covering letters.
1892. Edin. Rev., Jan., 169. The petition, with Rodney’s covering letter … are … at the Record Office.
