covie

noun

1. (alt-of, obsolete)Obsolete spelling of covey.

verb

1. (alt-of, alternative, intransitive)Alternative spelling of covey (“to gather into a group”).

   “Our fortunes and our ſelves, are things ſo cloſely linked, that vve knovv not vvhich is the cauſe of the love that vve finde, vvhen theſe tvvo ſhall part, vve may then diſcover to vvhich of them affection vvill make vvinge; vvhen they are covied together vve knovv not vvhich is in purſuit; vvhen they riſe and breake, vve ſhall then ſee vvhich is aimed at.”

   “The lapwing's covied tribes forsake / The fens, to seek the glassy lake.”

2. (also, ambitransitive, figuratively, obsolete)Synonym of cove (“of a bird or other animal: to brood, cover, incubate, or sit over (eggs)”).

   “Their [tortoises'] manner is to go aland, vvhere among the graſſe they lay egges as bigge as birds egs, to the number commonly of an hundred. […] [I]n the night time ſit upon them: they couvie a whole yeere before they hatch.”

   “Darling, of all the sweet thoughts that ever covied in thy heart and took wing from thy pretty lips, that is to me the noblest, sweetest, best.”