French Conversation · Level 178
15 words
French word
couver
Pronunciation
IPA/kuve/
Meaning
- verbincubate
Example
La poule couve ses œufs.
The hen is incubating her eggs.
More examples
Il couve une maladie sans symptômes.
He harbors a disease without symptoms.
Core concept
A hen stays settled over eggs, while the same hidden warmth keeps a plan or grievance alive inside.
Common phrases
couver des œufs
incubate eggs
couver une maladie
harbor a disease
Similar words
protéger: Defend against attack or prevent damage.
garder: Preserve an object or place without changing its condition.
surveiller: Monitor closely to ensure safety or track changes.
abriter: Give protection from rain, wind, or other outside conditions.
Definition in French
Tenir des œufs au chaud pour les faire éclore; au sens figuré, nourrir en soi une idée, une rancune ou un plan sans l'exprimer.
Word origin
French couver comes through Old French from Latin cubare, 'to lie down', whose sense developed into a bird sitting on eggs and then into keeping thoughts or feelings hidden inside.
Usage tips
- Couver is usually transitive: couver des œufs is literal, while couver une rancune or couver un projet is figurative.
Other meanings
- lie dormantverb
- smolderverb
- harborverb
Opposites
- abandonnerabandonverb
Related words
- couvéebroodnoun
- couveuseincubatornoun