Container indicator

cover

“cover” is a container indicator in cryptic crosswords.

One piece of wordplay is wrapped around or inserted into another. Containers use the imagery of holding, enclosing, or swallowing.

Clue types: Container
Forms: covers, covering
Subtlety: subtle
Part of speech: participle, verb
Themes: containment

Worked example

“Present man covering hesitation (4)”

Answer: HERE

Definition: "Present" means HERE. "man" gives a word for a fellow: HE. "hesitation" gives the faltering sound: ER. "covering" tells you to wrap the outer around the inner. HE covering ER = HE(ER) = HERE.

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accommodate
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amidst
among
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around
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Explore indicator types

Anagram Hidden word Container Reversal Deletion Homophone Charade Acrostic

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