overt
AdjectiveSynonyms:
open
WordNet 3.0
Adjective (1)
- open and observable; not secret or hidden“an overt lie”“overt hostility”“overt intelligence gathering”“open ballots”Synonyms: open
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
overt \o"vert\ ([=o]*v[~e]rt" or [=o]"v[~e]rt), a. [OF. overt, F. ouvert, p. p. of OF. ovrir, F. ouvrir, to open, of uncertain origin; cf. It. aprire, OIt. also oprire, L. aperire to open, operire to cover, deoperire to uncover. Perh. from L. aperire influenced by F. couvrir to cover. Cf. Aperient, Cover.] [1913 Webster]
1.Open to view; public; apparent; manifest. Opposite of hidden. [1913 Webster]
Overt and apparent virtues bring forth praise.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]
2.(Law) Not covert; open; public; manifest; as, an overt act of treason. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.— Constitution of the U. S.[1913 Webster]
Note: In criminal law, an overt act is an open act done in pursuance and manifestation of a criminal design; the mere design or intent not being punishable without such act. In English law, market overt is an open market; a pound overt is an open, uncovered pound. [1913 Webster]