Mask Definition

măsk

masked, masking, masks

noun

masks

A covering for the face or part of the face, to conceal the identity.

Webster's New World

A usually rubber frame forming a watertight seal around the eyes and nose and containing a transparent covering for use in seeing underwater.

American Heritage

A protective covering for the face or head, as a wire screen [fencer's mask] or respirator [gas mask]

Webster's New World

A covering for the nose and mouth that is used for inhaling oxygen or an anesthetic.

American Heritage

A covering for the mouth and nose used in administering an anesthetic or oxygen.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

verb

masked, masking, masks

To conceal or cover with or as with a mask.

Webster's New World

To conceal or disguise.

Webster's New World

To protect by covering as with masking tape.

Webster's New World

To make (a sound, smell, taste, etc.) less noticeable.

Webster's New World

To make indistinct or difficult to perceive.

Spices that mask the strong flavor of the meat; sounds that were masked by white noise.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Mask

Singular:

mask

Plural:

From Middle English maske, from Old English max, *masc (“net"), from Proto-Germanic *maskwÇ (“mesh, netting, mask"), from Proto-Indo-European *mozgÊ·-, *mezgÊ·- (“to knit, tie"). Cognate with Dutch maas (“mesh"), German Masche (“mesh"), Icelandic möskvi (“mesh").

From Wiktionary
French masque from Italian maschera from a source akin to Latin masca evil spirit, specter mascot and probably partly also from Arabic masḫara laughingstock, masquerade (from saḫira to laugh (at), mock šḫr in Semitic roots)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Derived from the -r- form: Italian maschera, Spanish and Portuguese máscara, Dutch masker, English masquerade.

From Wiktionary
From Middle English masken, short for *maskeren, malskren (“to bewilder; be confused, wander"). More at masker.

From Wiktionary
From Middle English *mask, masch, from Old English māx, māsc (“mash"). More at mash.

From Wiktionary
Derived from the form lacking -r-: German Maske and Swedish mask.

From Wiktionary