Here's why:
* No recognizable prefix: There's no identifiable part of the word that comes before the core meaning.
* No clear suffix: While "cover" can be used as a verb, noun, or adjective, its meaning doesn't change significantly with the addition of common suffixes like "-ing," "-ed," or "-er."
It's important to note that "cover" can be a part of other words, where it acts as a base word. For example:
* Uncover: "un-" is the prefix, and "cover" is the base word.
* Overcover: "over-" is the prefix, and "cover" is the base word.
However, in the word "cover" itself, it stands alone as a root word with its own established meaning.