co·vert • adj. / ˈkōvərt; kōˈvərt; ˈkəvərt/ 1. not openly acknowledged or displayed: covert operations against the dictatorship.2. Law (of a woman) married and under the authority and protection of her husband.• n. / ˈkəvər(t); ˈkōvərt/ 1. a shelter or hiding place. ∎  a thicket in which game can hide.2. Ornithol. any of the feathers covering the bases of the main flight or tail feathers of a bird.DERIVATIVES: co·vert·ly / ˈkōvərtlē; kōˈvərtlē; ˈkəvərtlē/ adv.co·vert·ness n.

covert covering XIV; woody shelter for game XIV; feathers covering the bases of larger feathers XVIII. — OF. covert (mod. couvert), pp. of co(u)vrir COVER.
So covert adj. covered, hidden. XIV. coverture cover, covering XIII; position of a woman during her married life XVI.

Covert

a flock of birds; a flock or company of coots, 1430.