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Glite Dictionary
record cover

record cover

3.0
A cardboard or paper sleeve that protects a vinyl record
  • noun
  • /ˈrɛkərd ˈkʌvər/
translation icon : carátula
  • No doubt by force of repetition, "Little Red Riding-Hood" became her favorite story and part of her repertory of activities: she would mutter the name, give it to various dolls, leaf through the book, and point out Little Red Riding-Hood or pick her out on a record cover containing other storybook characters.

Examples

  • The album was released with a beautifully illustrated record cover that features iconic artwork.

  • A record cover with lyrics.

    Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

  • "I don't see any reason why, if they can take a work of art and put it on a record cover, you cannot put it inside the song."

    Academic text (1999)

  • I duplicate record covers

    Xanadu (1980)

  • When I was canvassing our campus for discarded album covers, our school librarian gave me some clear plastic record covers that have turned out to be a real bonanza.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Many collectors enjoy showcasing their favorite albums and often display the record cover on their walls.

  • He carefully placed the vinyl inside the record cover to protect it from scratches and dust.

Synonyms

cover
vsrecord cover
571 1.0

A thing like a lid or blanket that lies over something to keep it safe

is specific to a sleeve designed to hold and protect a phonograph disc
sleeve
vsrecord cover
32 2.7

A cover that protects things like records or cables

is limited to holding and protecting a phonograph disc rather than any object
protective cover
vsrecord cover
1 2.7

An object placed over something to keep it safe from damage

focuses on holding and storing a phonograph disc, not only on shielding it
record sleeve
vsrecord cover
1 3.9

A paper or cardboard cover that protects a vinyl record

is the same idea but emphasises the sleeve form that holds the disc
record jacket
vsrecord cover
5.3

A cover for a vinyl record that protects it and shows the album art

is a sleeve usually paper or cardboard designed to hold and protect a disc

How Protective

record cover
3.0

Surface Forms

record cover singular
record covers plural

Morphology

record + cover

The meaning 'a protective sleeve for a record' is directly and compositionally derived from 'record' (a vinyl disc) + 'cover' (an object that covers or protects), following the common noun+noun compounding pattern in English. This is a productive, cross-linguistically familiar construction, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Record cover comes from the simple idea of a cover that protects a record. People slid the vinyl into a paper or cardboard 'sleeve' to keep it safe and to show the album art, so today record cover means the protective sleeve for a record.