from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Coverture \Cov"er*ture\ (k?v"?r-t?r; 135), n. [OF.
coverture,F.couverture.]
1. Covering; shelter; defense; hiding.
[1913 Webster]
Protected by walls or other like coverture.
--Woodward.
[1913 Webster]
Beatrice, who even now
Is couched in the woodbine coverture. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
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}.
[1913 Webster]