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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Mask house

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.]

  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.)

    1. In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects the caponiere.

    2. 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.

  8. A person wearing a mask; a masker.

    The mask that has the arm of the Indian queen.
    --G. W. Cable.

  9. (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.