subs. (common).—A man; a diminutive of COVE (q.v.).

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  1821.  W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, Act iii., Sc. 3. Tom. Well there’s a flimsy for you; serve the change out in max to the COVIES.

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  1837.  DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch. viii. Upon this, the boy crossed over; and, walking close up to Oliver, said, ‘Hullo, my COVEY! what’s the row?’

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  1854.  MARTIN and AYTOUN, Bon Gaultier Ballads, ‘The Laureate’s Tourney.’

        ‘Undo the helmet! cut the lace! pour water on his head!’
‘It ain’t no use at all, my lord; ’cos vy? the COVEY’S dead.’

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  1876.  C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 19. Ah! ah! you half-starved, hungry, ugly-looking COVEY, why, if they had you in the country where I came from they’d boil you down for the pigs.

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