ˈcovert-ˈbaron, a. (n.)
Also 7 covert-barne, -bearn.
[a. AF. couverte baroun, orig. coverte de barun covered by a husband.]
A. adj. = covert a. 4.
| 1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 19 §4 Women Covertebaron except. 1623 Cockeram, Couert-barron, a married woman. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. 442 The woman..is therefore called in our law-french a feme-covert, foemina viro cooperta; is said to be covert-baron, or under the protection and influence of her husband, her baron, or lord. |
B. n. (Chiefly in phrase under covert-baron.) The condition of a feme covert or married woman.
| 1581 B. Rich Farewell H j b, She beyng under couert barne, your Obligation is unpleadable. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iii. vi. §27 No woman under Covert-Baron was lyable to pay it. 1675 Crowne Country Wit iv. 68 Say you are my wife, and plead covert-bearn. |
† b. Said (humorously) of the position of a married man: cf. next. Obs.
| 1603 Florio Montaigne ii. xvii. (1632) 364 To put himselfe under covert-baron, he tooke him a wife from out that place. 1638 Brome Antip. ii. vii, Who dares trust A Ladyes husband, who is but a Squire, And under covert-barne? 1664 Butler Hud. ii. ii. 703 Impatient Grizel Has drubb'd her Husband..And brought him under Covert-Baron. |