mɑ:sk n. & v. --n. 1 a
covering for all or
part of
the face: a
worn as a
disguise, or to
appear grotesque and amuse or
terrify. b
made of
wire,
gauze,
etc., and worn for
protection (e.g. by a fencer) or by a
surgeon to
prevent infection of a
patient. c worn to
conceal the face at balls etc. and usu. made of
velvet or
silk. 2 a
respirator used to
filter inhaled
air or to supply
gas for inhalation. 3 a
likeness of a person's face,
esp.
one made by
taking a mould
from the face (death-mask). 4 a disguise or
pretence (throw
off the mask). 5 a
hollow model of a
human head worn by ancient
Greek and
Roman actors. 6 Photog. a
screen used to
exclude part of an
image. 7 the face or head of an
animal, esp. a
fox. 8 = face-pack. 9
archaic a
masked person. --v.tr. 1
cover (the face etc.)
with a mask. 2 disguise or conceal (a
taste, one's feelings, etc.). 3
protect from a process. 4
Mil. a conceal (a
battery etc.) from the enemy's
view. b hinder (an
army etc.) from
action by observing with
adequate force. c hinder (a
friendly force) by
standing in
its line of
fire. ømasking
tape adhesive tape used in
painting to cover areas on
which paint is
not wanted. øømasker n. [F
masque f.
It. maschera f.
Arab. maskara
buffoon f. sakira to ridicule]
