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Webster 1913 Edition

Mask

Mask

(mȧsk)
,
Noun.
[F.
masque
, LL.
masca
,
mascha
,
mascus
; cf. Sp. & Pg.
máscara
, 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.
(Zool.)
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.]
–
Death mask
,
a cast of the face of a dead person.

Mask

,
Verb.
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.
Shakespeare
2.
To disguise; to cover; to hide.
Masking
the business from the common eye.
Shakespeare
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 fortress by a superior force, while some hostile evolution is being carried out
.

Mask

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To take part as a masker in a masquerade.
Cavendish.
2.
To wear a mask; to be disguised in any way.
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition

Mask

M`ASK

, n.
1.
A cover for the face; that which conceals the face, especially a cover with apertures for the eyes and mouth; a visor. A mask is designed to conceal the face from beholders, or to preserve the complexion from injury by exposure to the weather and the rays of the sun.
2.
That which disguises; any pretense or subterfuge.
3.
A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions, in which the company all wear masks; a masquerade.
4.
A revel; a bustle; a piece of mummery.
This thought might lead through this world's vain mask.
5.
A dramatic performance written in a tragic style, without attention to rules or probability.
6.
In architecture, a piece of sculpture representing some grotesque form, to fill and adorn vacant places, as in friezes, panels of doors, keys of arches, &c.

M`ASK

,
Verb.
T.
To cover the face for concealment or defense against injury; to conceal with a mask or visor.
1.
To disguise; to cover; to hide.
Masking the business from the common eye.

M`ASK

,
Verb.
I.
To revel; to play the fool in masquerade.
1.
To be disguised in any way.

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