Definitions for: Mask


[n] activity that tries to conceal something; "no mask could conceal his ignorance"; "they moved in under a mask of friendship"
[n] a covering to disguise or conceal the face
[n] a protective covering worn over the face
[n] a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
[v] put a mask on or cover with a mask; "Mask the children for Halloween"
[v] shield from light; as in photography
[v] cover with a sauce; "mask the meat"
[v] hide under a false appearance



Webster (1913) Definition: Mask, n. [F. masque, LL. masca, mascha, mascus; cf. Sp. &
Pg. m['a]scara, It. maschera; all fr. Ar. maskharat buffoon,
fool, pleasantry, anything ridiculous or mirthful, fr.
sakhira to ridicule, to laugh at. Cf. Masque,
Masquerade.]
1. A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise
or protection; as, a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a
ball player's mask.

2. That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge.

3. A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions,
where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a
frolic; a delusive show. --Bacon.

This thought might lead me through the world's vain
mask. --Milton.

4. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the
actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical
characters.

5. (Arch.) A grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones
and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains,
and the like; -- called also mascaron.

6. (Fort.)
(a) In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects
the caponiere.
(b) A screen for a battery.

7. (Zo["o]l.) The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly,
modified so as to form a prehensile organ.

Mask house, a house for masquerades. [Obs.]


Mask, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Masked; p. pr. & vb. n.
Masking.]
1. To cover, as the face, by way of concealment or defense
against injury; to conceal with a mask or visor.

They must all be masked and vizarded. --Shak.

2. To disguise; to cover; to hide.

Masking the business from the common eye. --Shak.

3. (Mil.)
(a) To conceal; also, to intervene in the line of.
(b) To cover or keep in check; as, to mask a body of
troops or a fortess by a superior force, while some
hostile evolution is being carried out.


Mask, v. i.
1. To take part as a masker in a masquerade. --Cavendish.

2. To wear a mask; to be disguised in any way. --Shak.


Mask, n.
1. A person wearing a mask; a masker.

The mask that has the arm of the Indian queen. --G.
W. Cable.

2. (Sporting) The head or face of a fox.

Death mask, a cast of the face of a dead person.

Synonyms: block out, cloak, dissemble, masque, masquerade

Antonyms: unmask

See Also: concealing, concealment, cook, cover, covering, disguise, disguise, domino, eye mask, face mask, false face, fancy-dress ball, gas helmet, gasmask, half mask, hiding, masked ball, masquerade ball, party, protection, protective cover, protective covering, respirator, welder's mask

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