covey
UK[ˈkʌvi]US[ˈkʌvi]
n
a small group of birds, especially partridges or quail.
n
a small group of people or things.
Etymology
the word "covey" entered english in the late middle english period, borrowed from the old french "covée," which itself derived from the verb "couver," meaning "to hatch." this french term has its ultimate origins in the latin "cubāre," meaning "to lie down." the semantic journey is clear: from the general act of lying down, the term specialized in old french to refer to a brood of birds hatched from eggs while the mother bird lies on them. this specific ornithological meaning was the one borrowed into english, later extending metaphorically to any small, closely-knit group.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from french. it does not contain separable morphemes in modern english that are meaningful on their own.
Examples
a covey of partridges burst from the undergrowth, startling the walkers.
the old philosopher was often surrounded by a covey of eager students.
the report presented a covey of new ideas for urban development.