Reminds me of Italian copertura with similar meanings. In modern times you hear talk of the copertura of a mobile phone network, which I think shows the link between coverture and the word which shoved it into the background, coverage.
Law. The condition or position of a woman during her married life, when she is by law under the authority and protection of her husband. Also in phr. under coverture (lit. and fig.).
But that is definition 9. The earlier ones are more prosaic:
Anything used to cover. Formerly used of the cover or lid of a cup or dish; the cover of a book; the cover of a letter; now only in the general and usually collective sense of ‘covering’.
And the earliest usage: A bed-cover, coverlet, or quilt. Obs.
I think we should go back to this word, don't you? It sounds so much more elegant. Except in that married life sense, that is. ;-)
Reminds me of Italian copertura with similar meanings. In modern times you hear talk of the copertura of a mobile phone network, which I think shows the link between coverture and the word which shoved it into the background, coverage.
According to the OED:
Law. The condition or position of a woman during her married life, when she is by law under the authority and protection of her husband. Also in phr. under coverture (lit. and fig.).
But that is definition 9. The earlier ones are more prosaic:
Anything used to cover. Formerly used of the cover or lid of a cup or dish; the cover of a book; the cover of a letter; now only in the general and usually collective sense of ‘covering’.
And the earliest usage: A bed-cover, coverlet, or quilt. Obs.