

   AAssssiiggnn CCoovvaarriiaattee VVaalluueess

        covariate(object) <- value

   AArrgguummeennttss::

     object: any object with a `covariate' component.

      value: a value to be assigned to the covariate associated
             with `object'.

   DDeessccrriippttiioonn::

        This function is generic; method functions can be writ-
        ten to handle specific classes of objects. Classes
        which already have methods for this function include
        all `varFunc' classes.

   VVaalluuee::

        will depend on the method function; see the appropriate
        documentation.

   AAuutthhoorr((ss))::

        Jose Pinheiro and Douglas Bates

   SSeeee AAllssoo::

        `getCovariate'

   EExxaammpplleess::

        ## see the method function documentation

