Mask Meaning
/mɑːsk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection.
nounThat which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge.
Sentence Examples
The man wore a mask of a tiger.
The man began to take off his hat, glasses and mask.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor wore a protective ____ over her mouth and nose during surgery.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He wore a decorative ____ to the costume party, making it difficult for anyone to recognize him.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Middle French masque (“a covering to hide or protect the face”), from Italian maschera (“mask, disguise”), from (a byform of, see it for more) Medieval Latin masca, mascha, a borrowing of Proto-West Germanic *maskā, from which English mesh and mask (“mesh”) (below at Etymology 2) are inherited. Doublet of masque and mesh. Replaced Old English grīma (“mask”), whence grime, and displaced non-native Middle English viser (“visor, mask”) borrowed from Old French viser, visier.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Just a few days ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—the CDC—issued new mask guidelines.
Under these new guidelines, most Americans in most of the country can now be mask free.
And based on the projections, more of the country will reach that point across the next couple of weeks."
— 2022 March 1, Joe Biden, “Remarks of President Joe Biden – State of the Union Address As Prepared for Delivery”, in whitehouse.gov, archived from the original on 02 Mar 2022:
"Grouchy and wary and tender, he’s a sozzled hedonist seemingly out for himself—though his party-animal facade is just a mask for his bottomless generosity."
— 2021 October 26, Stephanie Zacharek, “The 19 Most Underrated Movies on Netflix”, in Time:
"Come then, pure hands, and bear the head
That sleeps or wears the mask of sleep,
And come, whatever loves to weep,
And hear the ritual of the dead."
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XVIII”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 30:
"This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask."
— 1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"the mask that has the arm of the Indian queen"
— 1880, George Washington Cable, The Grandissimes: A Story of Creole Life:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor wore a protective ____ over her mouth and nose during surgery.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He wore a decorative ____ to the costume party, making it difficult for anyone to recognize him.