covered (adj.)

One of the features of sound set up by Chomsky and Halle in their DISTINCTIVE FEATURE theory of PHONOLOGY, to handle variations in PLACE OF ARTICULATION (CAVITY features). It is a tentative categorization, referring to sounds produced with a narrowed, tensed PHARYNX and raised LARYNX, as may occur in some West African languages on tensed VOWELS. Its opposite is non-covered, where there is no such narrowing and tensing of the pharynx.