overt
overt (ō*vẽrt" or ō"vẽrt) , adjective
[Old French overt, French ouvert, past participle of Old French ovrir, French ouvrir, to open, of uncertain origin; compare Italian aprire, OIt. also oprire, Latin aperire to open, operire to cover, deoperire to uncover. Perh. from Latin aperire influenced by French couvrir to cover. Compare Aperient, Cover.]
1.
Open to view; public; apparent; manifest. Opposite of hidden.
Overt and apparent virtues bring forth praise.
2.
(Law) Not covert; open; public; manifest; as, an overt act of treason. — Macaulay
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.
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.