1. (

• covering ,
• natural_covering ,
• cover

) a natural object that covers or envelops; "under a covering of dust"; "the fox was flushed from its cover" ;

2. (

• covering

) an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it) ;

3. (

• cover ,
• covering ,
• screening ,
• masking

) the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it; "the cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft" ;

4. (

• covering

) the act of protecting something by covering it ;

5. (

• application ,
• coating ,
• covering ,

) the work of applying something; "the doctor prescribed a topical application of iodine"; "a complete bleach requires several applications"; "the surface was ready for a coating of paint" ;