- mask
- [[t]mɑ͟ːsk, mæ̱sk[/t]]
♦♦♦masks, masking, masked1) N-COUNT A mask is a piece of cloth or other material, which you wear over your face so that people cannot see who you are, or so that you look like someone or something else.
The gunman, whose mask had slipped, fled.
...actors wearing masks.
2) N-COUNT: oft supp N A mask is a piece of cloth or other material that you wear over all or part of your face to protect you from germs or harmful substances.You must wear goggles and a mask that will protect you against the fumes...
She wore a surgical mask and rubber gloves while she worked with the samples.
3) N-COUNT: oft N of n If you describe someone's behaviour as a mask, you mean that they do not show their real feelings or character.His mask of detachment cracked, and she saw for an instant an angry and violent man.
Syn:4) N-COUNT A mask is a thick cream or paste made of various substances, which you spread over your face and leave for some time in order to improve your skin.This mask leaves your complexion feeling soft and supple.
Syn:5) VERB If you mask your feelings, you deliberately do not show them in your behaviour, so that people cannot know what you really feel.[V n] Dena lit a cigarette, trying to mask her agitation.
Syn:conceal, hide6) VERB If one thing masks another, it prevents people from noticing or recognizing the other thing.[V n] A thick grey cloud masked the sun...
[V n] Too much salt masks the true flavour of the food...
[V n] The healthy trade figures mask a much gloomier picture.
7) → See also , gas mask, oxygen mask
English dictionary. 2008.
