Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Mask \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 \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 \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 \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.
Source : WordNet®
mask
n 1: a covering to disguise or conceal the face
2: activity that tries to conceal something; "no mask could
conceal his ignorance"; "they moved in under a mask of
friendship"
3: a party of guests wearing costumes and masks [syn: {masquerade},
{masque}]
4: a protective covering worn over the face
mask
v 1: hide under a false appearance; "He masked his
disappointment" [syn: {dissemble}, {cloak}]
2: put a mask on or cover with a mask; "Mask the children for
Halloween" [ant: {unmask}]
3: cover with a sauce; "mask the meat"
4: shield from light [syn: {block out}]