Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

mask       (māsk)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A covering worn on the face to conceal one's identity, as: 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. A grotesque or comical representation of a face, worn especially to frighten or amuse, as at Halloween. A facial covering worn for ritual. 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 protective covering for the face or head. A gas mask. A usually rubber frame forming a watertight seal around the eyes and nose and containing a transparent covering for use in seeing underwater. A covering for the nose and mouth that is used for inhaling oxygen or an anesthetic. A covering worn over the nose and mouth, as by a surgeon or dentist, to prevent infection. A mold of a person's face, often made after death. An often grotesque representation of a head and face, used for ornamentation. An opaque border or pattern placed between a source of light and a photosensitive surface to prevent exposure of specified portions of the surface. The translucent border framing a television picture tube and screen. A protective covering for the face or head. A gas mask. A usually rubber frame forming a watertight seal around the eyes and nose and containing a transparent covering for use in seeing underwater. A covering for the nose and mouth that is used for inhaling oxygen or an anesthetic. A covering worn over the nose and mouth, as by a surgeon or dentist, to prevent infection. A mold of a person's face, often made after death. An often grotesque representation of a head and face, used for ornamentation. An opaque border or pattern placed between a source of light and a photosensitive surface to prevent exposure of specified portions of the surface. The translucent border framing a television picture tube and screen. A mold of a person's face, often made after death. An often grotesque representation of a head and face, used for ornamentation. An opaque border or pattern placed between a source of light and a photosensitive surface to prevent exposure of specified portions of the surface. The translucent border framing a television picture tube and screen. 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. An opaque border or pattern placed between a source of light and a photosensitive surface to prevent exposure of specified portions of the surface. 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. v.   masked, mask·ing, masks v.   tr. 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. v.   intr. To put on a mask, especially for a masquerade ball. To conceal one's real personality, character, or intentions. [French masque, from Italian maschera, from Medieval Latin masca, specter, witch, mask.] mask'a·ble adj.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

masque also mask       (māsk)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A dramatic entertainment, usually performed by masked players representing mythological or allegorical figures, that was popular in England in the 16th and early 17th centuries. A dramatic verse composition written for such an entertainment. See masquerade. [French; see mask.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
mask  (n.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

mask
noun
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]
4.	a protective covering worn over the face
verb
1.	hide under a false appearance; "He masked his disappointment" [syn: dissemble]
2.	put a mask on or cover with a mask; "Mask the children for Halloween" [ant: unmask]
3.	make unrecognizable; "The herb masks the garlic taste"; "We disguised our faces before robbing the bank" [syn: disguise]
4.	cover with a sauce; "mask the meat"
5.	shield from light

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

mask (māsk)
n.

1. A covering for the nose and mouth that is used for inhaling oxygen or an anesthetic.
2. A covering worn over the nose and mouth, as by a surgeon or dentist, to prevent infection.
3. A facial bandage.
4. Something, often a trait, that disguises or conceals.
5. Any of a various of conditions producing alteration or discoloration of the skin of the face.
6. An expressionless appearance of the face seen in certain diseases, such as Parkinsonism.

v. masked, mask·ing, masks

1. To cover with a protective mask.
2. To cover in order to conceal, protect, or disguise.

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ¹mask
Pronunciation: 'mask
Function: noun
1 : a protective covering for the face
2 a : a device coveringthe mouth and nose to facilitate inhalation b : a comparable device to prevent the broadcasting of exhaled infective material
3 : a cosmetic preparation for theskin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ²mask
Function: transitive verb
1 : to prevent (an atom or group of atoms) from showing its ordinary reactions mask hydroxylin a sugar by converting it into methoxyl>
2 : to modify or reduce the effect or activity of (as a process or a reaction)
3 : FLAVOR <mask a pharmaceutical preparation>
4 : to raise the audibility threshold of (a sound) bythe simultaneous presentation of another sound

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Mask

Mas`quer*ade"\, n. [F. mascarade, fr. Sp. mascarada, or It. mascherata. See Mask.]

1. An assembly of persons wearing masks, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions.

In courtly balls and midnight masquerades. --Pope.

2. A dramatic performance by actors in masks; a mask. See 1st Mask, 4. [Obs.]

3. Acting or living under false pretenses; concealment of something by a false or unreal show; pretentious show; disguise.

That masquerade of misrepresentation which invariably accompanied the political eloquence of Rome. --De Quincey.

4. A Spanish diversion on horseback.

Acronym Finder - Cite This Source - Share This

MASK

MASK: in Acronym Finder

On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

mask

mask: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary