Cov"er*ture (k?v"?r-t?r; 135), n. [OF. coverture,F. couverture.] 1. Covering; shelter; defense; hiding.

Protected by walls or other like coverture.
Woodward.

Beatrice, who even now
Is couched in the woodbine coverture.
Shak.

2. (Law) The condition of a woman during marriage, because she is considered under the cover, influence, power, and protection of her husband, and therefore called a feme covert, or femme couverte.