undercover — working or done in secret in order to catch criminals or find out information
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: working or done in secret in order to catch criminals or find out information
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌʌndərˈkʌvər/
Example Sentences
- The rookie officer was so nervous during his first undercover mission that he accidentally called his partner 'boss' in front of the criminals.
- In the civil service exam, questions about undercover investigation procedures often appear in the criminal law section.
- She went undercover as a waitress to gather evidence against the restaurant owner's illegal activities.
undercover
ADJECTIVE[/ˌʌndərˈkʌvər/]
working or done in secret in order to catch criminals or find out information
The undercover detective blends in with dockworkers to spy on smugglers.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Undercover combines the Old English preposition 'under' (beneath) and 'cover' (to conceal), literally meaning 'beneath a cover'. Originally denoting something hidden from view, the term evolved by the 16th century to describe the concealment of one's identity or status, particularly in the context of secret operations. It became especially prevalent in modern usage to describe law enforcement agents or operatives who assume false identities to conduct covert investigations.
Breakdown
under- (beneath, below) + cover (to conceal, hide) = hidden beneath or concealed. The compound originally referred to being physically covered or hidden, then shifted to mean concealing one's true identity or operating in secret.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The rookie officer was so nervous during his first undercover mission that he accidentally called his partner 'boss' in front of the criminals.”
“In the civil service exam, questions about undercover investigation procedures often appear in the criminal law section.”
“She went undercover as a waitress to gather evidence against the restaurant owner's illegal activities.”
“My cat seems to think she's an undercover agent, hiding behind curtains and 'secretly' watching everyone in the house.”
“The undercover police successfully arrested the leader of the smuggling ring after six months of investigation.”
📚Related Words
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