Third person singular present of hide; conceals from sight or keeps secret, or plural noun referring to animal skins.
From Old English 'hydan' (to hide) and 'hyd' (animal skin), both from Germanic roots. The verb meaning 'to conceal' and noun meaning 'animal skin' are etymologically related through the concept of covering.
The dual meaning of 'hides' creates interesting wordplay possibilities - an animal literally hides in its hide, and humans have used animal hides to hide from weather and enemies for millennia.
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