The Collaborative International Dictionary
Mask \Mask\ (m[.a]sk), 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.]
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.
That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge.
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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. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical characters.
(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.
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(Fort.)
In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects the caponiere.
A screen for a battery.
(Zo["o]l.) The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly, modified so as to form a prehensile organ.
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A person wearing a mask; a masker.
The mask that has the arm of the Indian queen.
--G. W. Cable. -
(Sporting) The head or face of a fox.
Mask house, a house for masquerades. [Obs.]
Death mask, a cast of the face of a dead person.