mask
English meaning: Mask
Definition
A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection.
Example
“a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a ball player's mask”
Another example: “A scented candle helped to mask the smell of paint.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral and common; a covering for the face for disguise, protection or ceremony ('face mask', 'gas mask', 'surgical mask'), or, as a verb, to hide or conceal ('mask the smell'). Widely used in health, theatre and security contexts.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From French 'masque', from Italian 'maschera', possibly from Arabic 'maskharah' (buffoon), entering English in the 16th century.
Synonyms
- disguise
- cover
- conceal
- veil
- screen
Antonyms / Opposites
- unmask
- reveal
- expose
Related Words
- unmask
- zorro
- shaved
- airway
- libre
- wig
- masked
- helmet
- cage
- disguise
Common Collocations
- face mask
- wear a mask
- surgical mask
- gas mask
- mask the smell
Word Forms
mask (n); masks (pl); mask (v); masked; masking
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
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