Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » mask

mask

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of a mask is something that conceals or disguises, particularly a covering for the face.

(noun)

An example of a mask is a face covering that children wear on Halloween.

Mask is defined as to cover up, conceal, disguise or hide.

(verb)

An example of mask is for a person to pretend to be happy when she is really sad.

See mask in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a covering for the face or part of the face, to conceal the identity
anything that conceals or disguises
a party, carnival, etc. where masks are worn; masquerade
a person wearing a mask; masker
a likeness of a person's face, or face and neck; specif.,
1. a sculptured or molded likeness of the face
2. a grotesque or comic representation of a face, worn to amuse or frighten, as at Halloween
3. a sculptured head or face, often grotesque, used as an ornament, as on a building
4. a figure of a head worn on the stage by an ancient Greek or Roman actor to identify a character and amplify the voice
a protective covering for the face or head, as a wire screen [fencer's mask] or respirator [gas mask]
1. a covering for the mouth and nose used in administering an anesthetic or oxygen
2. a piece of gauze, etc. worn over the mouth and nose of a surgeon, etc. to prevent infection of a patient, instruments, etc. by exhaled matter
a strip of darker color across an animal's eyes, as in the raccoon
something serving to conceal artillery, military operations, etc. from observation
an opaque or translucent material used to modify the exposure of selected areas of a photograph
masque (senses & )
Zool. a masklike formation about the head, as the enlarged lower lip of a dragonfly larva

Origin: Fr masque < It maschera, mascara, a mask, prob. < Ar maskhara, a clown, buffoonery

transitive verb

to conceal or cover with or as with a mask
to conceal or disguise
to make (a sound, smell, taste, etc.) less noticeable
to protect by covering as with masking tape

intransitive verb

to put on a mask, as for a masquerade
to hide or disguise one's true motives, character, etc.

See mask in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A covering worn on the face to conceal one's identity, as:
a. A covering, as of cloth, that has openings for the eyes, entirely or partly conceals the face, and is worn especially at a masquerade ball.
b. A grotesque or comical representation of a face, worn especially to frighten or amuse, as at Halloween.
c. A facial covering worn for ritual.
d. A figure of a head worn by actors in Greek and Roman drama to identify a character or trait and to amplify the voice.
a. A protective covering for the face or head.
b. A gas mask.
c. A usually rubber frame forming a watertight seal around the eyes and nose and containing a transparent covering for use in seeing underwater.
d. A covering for the nose and mouth that is used for inhaling oxygen or an anesthetic.
e. A covering worn over the nose and mouth, as by a surgeon or dentist, to prevent infection.
a. A mold of a person's face, often made after death.
b. An often grotesque representation of a head and face, used for ornamentation.
The face or facial markings of certain animals, such as foxes or dogs.
A face having a blank, fixed, or enigmatic expression.
Something, often a trait, that disguises or conceals: “If ever I saw misery under a mask, it was on her face” (Erskine Childers).
A natural or artificial feature of terrain that conceals and protects military forces or installations.
a. An opaque border or pattern placed between a source of light and a photosensitive surface to prevent exposure of specified portions of the surface.
b. The translucent border framing a television picture tube and screen.
Computer Science A pattern of characters, bits, or bytes used to control the elimination or retention of another pattern of characters, bits, or bytes.
A cosmetic preparation that is applied to the face and allowed to dry before being removed, used especially for cleansing and tightening the skin.
Variant of masque.
A person wearing a mask.

verb masked, mask·ing, masks

verb, transitive

To cover with a decorative or protective mask.
To make indistinct or blurred to the senses: spices that mask the strong flavor of the meat.
To cover in order to conceal, protect, or disguise. See Synonyms at disguise.
To block the view of: Undergrowth masked the entrance to the cave.
To cover (a part of a photographic film) by the application of an opaque border.
Chemistry To prevent (an atom or a group of atoms) from taking part in a normal reaction.

verb, intransitive