coveys

Noun (1)

covey (plural covies or coveys)

1. A brood or family of partridges (family Phasianidae), which includes game birds such as grouse (tribe Tetraonini) and ptarmigans (tribe Tetraonini, genus Lagopus).
   • But, loa, with a ſuddeyn fluſhing thee galligut Harpeys / From mountayns flitter, with gaggling whirlerye flapping / Their wings: […] This coouie rauenouſe, and ſwift with a deſperat onſet, / They gripte in tallants the meat, and foorth ſpourged a ſtincking / Foule carrayne fauoure: […][1582, Virgil, “The Third Booke of Virgil His Aeneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC...
2. (broadly) A group of other birds, such as quail (superfamily Phasianoidea).
   • Like when you quail huntin' and it's getting dark and you can hear the boss bird whistlin' tryin' to get the covey together again, and he's coming toward you slow and whistlin' soft, cause he knows you somewhere around with your gun.1952 April 14, Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man (A Signet Book; Y3814), New York, N.Y.: New American Library, published 1952, →OCLC, page 52
3. (broadly, figuratively) A group or party of people; also, a group or set of things.
   • [T]here is not a better Spanniell in England to spring a couie of queanes than Martin.[1589], [John Lyly], Pappe with an Hatchet. Alias, A Figge for My God Sonne. […], London: […] Iohn Anoke, and Iohn Astile, for the Bayliue of Withernam [T. Orwin], […], →OCLC; republished as Pap with...

Noun (2)

covey (plural coveys)

1. (UK, dated, familiar, slang) A male person, a man; a chap, a chappie.
   • I don't know what would become of these here young chaps, if it wasn't for such careful old coveys as we are— […]1821 September (first performance), William T[homas] Moncrieff, “Tom and Jerry; or, Life in London”, in Selection from the Dramatic Works of William T. Moncrieff. […], volume III, London: Hailes...

   Synonyms:

   bloke, cove, fellow, guy, boy, bro, broski, bruh, cat, chap

See all 6 meanings of covey