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   mask

   /mask/

   noun

   • 1. a covering for all or part of the face, worn as a disguise, or to amuse or terrify other people. Similar disguiseveilfalse facedominostocking maskfancy dresshistorical:visorarchaic:vizard
   • 2. a covering worn over the mouth and nose in order to reduce the transmission of infectious agents, or to prevent the inhalation of pollutants and other harmful substances. Similar mattephotomaskshadow maskmaskingmasking tape
   • ▪ a protective covering fitting over the whole face, worn in fencing, ice hockey, and other sports. Similar face maskprotective maskface coveringface shieldsurgical maskmedical maskgas maskoxygen maskfencing maskiron maskski maskdust masksafety goggleswelding goggleswelding maskeye maskvisor
   • ▪ a respirator used to filter inhaled air or to supply gas for inhalation.
   • 3. a cosmetic preparation spread over the face and left for some time to cleanse and improve the skin: "this exfoliating mask helps clear your pores and leaves your skin feeling soft and healthy"
   • 4. a likeness of a person's face in clay or wax, especially one made by taking a mold from the face.
   • ▪ a person's face regarded as having set into a particular expression: "his face was a mask of rage"
   • ▪ a hollow model of a human head worn by ancient Greek and Roman actors.
   • ▪ the face or head of an animal, especially of a fox, as a hunting trophy.
   • ▪ a masked person. archaic
   • 5. a manner or expression that hides one's true character or feelings; a pretense: "she let her mask of moderate respectability slip" Similar pretensesemblanceveilscreenfrontfalse frontfacadeveneerblindfalse colorsdisguiseguiseconcealmentcovercover-upcloakcamouflage
   • 6. a piece of something, such as a card, used to cover a part of an image that is not required when exposing a print.
   • 7. a patterned metal film used in the manufacture of microcircuits to allow selective modification of the underlying material.
   • 8. the enlarged lower lip of a dragonfly larva, which can be extended to seize prey.

   verb

   • 1. cover (the face) with a mask: "he had been masked, bound, and abducted"
   • 2. conceal (something) from view: "the poplars masked a factory"
   • ▪ disguise or hide (a sensation or quality): "brandy did not completely mask the bitter taste"
   • 3. cover (an object or surface) so as to protect it from a process, especially painting: "mask off doors and cupboards with sheets of plastic" Similar mattephotomaskshadow maskmaskingmasking tape

   Word Origin mid 16th century: from French masque, from Italian maschera, mascara, probably from medieval Latin masca‘witch, specter’, but influenced by Arabic masḵara ‘buffoon’.

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • M

     3

   • A

     1

   • S

     1

   • K

     5

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