n.
- a covering for all or part of the face, worn as a disguise, for protection or hygiene, or for theatrical effect.
▸a respirator used to filter inhaled air or to supply gas for inhalation.
▸a face pack.
- a likeness of a person's face moulded or sculpted in clay or wax.
▸the face or head of an animal, especially of a fox, as a hunting trophy.
- a disguise or pretence:
she let her mask of respectability slip.
- Photography a piece of material used to cover part of an image that is not required when exposing a print.
- Electronics a patterned metal film used in the manufacture of microcircuits to allow selective modification of the underlying material.
v.
- cover with a mask.
- conceal from view; disguise:
brandy did not mask the bitter taste.
- cover so as to protect during a particular process, especially painting.
Derivative
Etymology
C16: from Fr. masque, from Ital. maschera, mascara, prob. from med. L. masca ‘witch, spectre’, but influenced by Arab. masḵara ‘buffoon’.