v. Also 4–5 vnkeuer(e, 5 oncowyr, 5–6 vncouere, etc. [UN-2 3, 5, 7.]
1. fig. To disclose, lay bare, make known.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27425. And sua his rede ask he Þat naman scrift vn-couer[d] be.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, II. xvii. 52. In our demaunds, we vncouer our owne desires.
1649. Milton, Eikon., xxviii. 238. Neither was it to cover thir perjury as he accuses, but to uncover his perjury to the Oath of his Coronation.
1674. Jeake, Arith. (1696), 405. I now come to review them in their common nature … and uncover their Comparative Elements.
1891. Hardy, Tess, xlix. The terrible evening over the hearth, when her simple soul uncovered itself to his.
2. To lay open or bare by the removal of some covering thing or matter.
a. 1375. Joseph Arim., 559. Eualac … vn-keuered his scheld & on þe cros biholdes.
c. 1400. Brut, I. 125. Þis Hardiknoght … lete vncouere his broþer Harolde, and smote of his Heuede … at Westmynstr.
14[?]. Three Kings Cologne, 28 (Camb. MS.). Whan hit [the snow] is vncouered oute of þe chaf, anoone hit dissolueþ and wasteþ awey.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, I. xxxv. (1869), 22. It is bettere the keyes … ben hid than vnhyd, For al bi times may men come to vnkeuere both that oon and that oother.
1553. Brende, Q. Curtius, IV. 56. The teares yet distilling downe his chekes [he] vncouered his face.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 9/2. Which we can not certaynlye espye, without makinge denudatione of the Cranium, and to our sight vncover it.
1603. [see UNBAR v. a].
1779. Mirror, No. 64. That mental feast with which I was to be regaled when the table should be uncovered.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, V. 276. Weeping always, and never … uncovering her face.
1839. Yeowell, Anc. Brit. Ch., xii. (1847), 133. Human bones, which from time to time have been uncovered by the winds, and lie bleaching on the sand.
1892. Photogr. Ann., II. 414. lt really does uncover the inches set forth below, whereas many other patterns only uncover about two-thirds.
b. To make bare or naked by removal of clothing; to expose unclothed or unveiled.
1530. Palsgr., 767/1. Uncover this man, take awaye the clothes.
1560. Bible (Genev.), Isaiah xlvii. 2. Vncouer ye legge, & passe through the floods. Ibid. (1609), (Douay) Ibid. Discouer the shoulder, vncouer the thighes.
1769. Cook, Voy. round World, I. xix. (1773), 242. When an Indian is about to worship at the Morai, or brings his offering to the altar, he always uncovers his body to the waste.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 200. On uncovering the foot, at that part was found a blue mark.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 167. Uncover your chest and back to me that I may have a better view.
refl. 1535. Coverdale, 2 Sam. vi. 20. The kynge … hath vncouered himselfe before the maydens of his seruauntes.
1734. in Sale, Koran, 291, note. It being reckoned … indecent, for a woman … to uncover her self before one who is an infidel.
absol. 1713. Addison, Guard., No. 109, ¶ 3. We were forced to uncover after them, being unwilling to give out so soon.
c. To drive (a fox) out of cover.
1812. Sporting Mag., XXXIX. 185. Proceeding to Minting Wood, they uncovered a fox.
1824. Mactaggart, Gallovid. Encycl., 414. The hounds could not uncover him, so the ron was set in flames about his lugs.
3. To remove a cover or covering from, to take the cover or top off (something).
c. 1400. Beryn, 3935. The Cup was vncoverid, þe swerd was out i-brayid.
c. 1410. Sir Cleges, 364. Sir Cleges oncowyrd the panyere, And schewed … the cheryse.
1507. Coventry Leet Bk., 609. That on Joh. a Woode, mercer, let on-couere the Redde diche, which renneth throwgh his gardeyn.
1534. Tindale, Mark ii. 4. They vncovered the rofe of the housse where he was.
1586. J. Hooker, Hist. Irel., in Holinshed, II. 114/1. The churches for the most part were all destroied & vncouered.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. 47. A long Pole or Bambo … with a Cutting-hook at the end of it, purposely for uncovering the houses.
1737. Challoner, Cath. Chr. Instr. (1753), 220. Our Altars we also uncovered and stript of all their Ornaments.
4. To remove the hat from (the head), as a mark of reverence, respect, or courtesy.
1530. Palsgr., 767/1. Why do you thus, I pray you, be nat uncovered for me.
1535. Coverdale, Lev. x. 6 Ye shall not vncouer youre heades, ner rente youre clothes.
1608. Yorkshire Trag., iii. 60. I that neuer could abide to vncouer my head ith Church.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. 129. None of the Eastern people use the Complement of uncovering their Heads when they meet, as we do.
B. absol.
1607. Shaks., Timon, III. vi. 95. Vncouer Dogges, and lap.
1627. May, Lucan, IX. S iij b. Thus hauing spoke Straight hee vncouers.
1841. Macaulay, Ess., W. Hastings (1851), 595. The House of Commons which uncovered and stood up to receive him.
1889. Gretton, Memory’s Harkb., 37. He stopped short, reverentially uncovered, and stood bare-headed till the line of mourners had passed.
5. Mil. a. To expose, leave open, by the moving or maneuvering of men. b. To leave unprotected by withdrawal of troops.
1796. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 122. As soon as the rear division is uncovered, it receives the word, March!
1802. James, Milit. Dict., s.v., The different leading companies or divisions, &c. successively uncover those in their rear.
1832. Prop. Reg. Instr. Cavalry, III. 72. The Troop … advances till its right uncovers the left of the Base Troop.
1899. Daily News, 27 March, 7/4. The old battle lines surrounding the city are maintained, and the city cannot be safely uncovered.
