copertura Italian · revision 38841

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=1274, Pietro da Bescapè|origins=la cooperiō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ko.perˈtu.ra/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''copertura''' ''f'' (plural coperture)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old forms include [[roa-oit|covertura]], [[roa-oit|covertora]], [[roa-oit|cupertura]] and [[roa-oit|cuvertura]].^(TLIO)^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It continues [[inh|la-lat|coopertūra|t=covering]], a derivative of [[m|la|coopertus|t=covered]], the past participle of [[m|la|cooperiō|t=to cover completely]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(DELI 1999)^(GRADIT 2003)^(Wiktionary) DEI finds the Late Latin word in Rufinus and in the Codex Cavensis of 935.^(DEI|1096) Its suffix is [[m|la|-tūra]].^(Wiktionary) The verb is the source of [[coprire]].^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLIO's first record is the Lombard poet Pietro da Bescapè (1274).^(TLIO) The ''Novellino'' (late 13th century), DELI's first record for the act of covering, describes a boat fitted out with a rich bed and ''ricche e nobili coverture di seta'', “rich and noble coverings of silk”.^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Old Italian used the word for many things that cover: a lid, a bedspread, a horse's trappings, armour, and the roof of a building, a sense DELI dates to the Italian Marco Polo of the early 14th century.^(TLIO)^(DELI 1999) It was also figurative from the start, for an outward appearance that hides the truth.^(TLIO)

+

+ The financial sense, the securities that guarantee a transaction against risk, is recorded in 1941 in the dictionary of the Italian Academy.^(DELI 1999)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026) From the military sense of protecting frontiers or troops come ''fuoco di copertura'' (covering fire) and, in police and spy work, ''agente sotto copertura'', an undercover agent; a lawful business that hides an illegal one is also a ''copertura''.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Treccani 2011) Newer senses are the area reached by a broadcast or telephone signal and, in boxing, the guard of the arms.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010) In the early 20th century the word could mean the outer tyre of a bicycle, as in Gozzano.^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 935 – Late Latin ''coopertura'' appears in the Codex Cavensis.^(DEI|1096)

+ * 1274 – Pietro da Bescapè uses the word.^(TLIO)

+ * Late 13th century – The ''Novellino'' has ''coverture'' of silk.^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI)

+ * Early 14th century – The sense “roof” appears in the Italian Marco Polo.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1941 – The financial sense is recorded.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of covering and its result: ''La copertura della piscina richiese due giorni.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+ # Something that covers or protects, especially the [[m|en|roof]] of a building: ''una copertura di tegole''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(cooking)'' A coating, especially of chocolate, on a cake or sweet.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+ # ''(figurative)'' Protection or a [[m|en|guarantee]] against risk: ''La polizza offre una copertura completa.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(figurative)'' A false front that hides something, especially an illegal activity: ''Il bar era solo una copertura.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+ # ''(finance)'' The funds or securities that guarantee a transaction, and an operation that reduces such risk.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(military)'' Measures and forces that protect frontiers or troops: ''fuoco di copertura''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(telecommunications)'' The area reached by a television, radio or mobile signal.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(geology)'' Material or ground that covers the rocks beneath.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(boxing)'' The guard of the arms over the head and body.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[coperchio]]

+ * [[coperto]]

+ * [[coprire]]

+ * [[coperta]]

+ * [[la|coopertura]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Sotto copertura'' describes police or secret agents working under a false identity.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wikizionario)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}