mask

mask¹ [ma:sk US mæsk] n

↑gauge, ↑mask, ↑snorkel

[Date: 1500-1600; : French; Origin: masque, from Old Italian maschera]

1.) something that covers all or part of your face, to protect or to hide it

▪ a surgical face mask

▪ He was attacked and robbed by two people wearing masks .

2.) something that covers your face, and has another face painted on it, which is used for ceremonies or special occasions

▪ a Halloween mask

3.) [usually singular]

an expression or way of behaving that hides your real emotions or character

= ↑front

▪ Her sarcasm is a mask for her insecurity.

4.) a substance that you put on your face and leave there for a short time to clean the skin or make it softer

= ↑face pack

▪ a facial mask

→↑death mask, ↑gas mask

mask ²

mask² v [T]

1.) if a smell, taste, sound etc is masked by a stronger one, it cannot be noticed because of the stronger one

▪ Liz turned on a radio to mask the noise.

▪ Air-fresheners mask bad smells instead of removing them.

2.) to hide your feelings or the truth about a situation

▪ Men often mask their true feelings with humour.

3.) to cover or hide something so that it cannot be clearly seen

▪ The new accommodation block has all but masked the original building.