n. & v.
n. 1 a covering for all or part of the face: a worn as a disguise, or to appear grotesque and amuse or terrify. b made of wire, gauze, etc., and worn for protection (e.g. by a fencer) or by a surgeon to prevent infection of a patient. c worn to conceal the face at balls etc. and usu. made of velvet or silk. 2 a respirator used to filter inhaled air or to supply gas for inhalation. 3 a likeness of a person's face, esp. one made by taking a mould from the face (death-mask). 4 a disguise or pretence (throw off the mask). 5 a hollow model of a human head worn by ancient Greek and Roman actors. 6 Photog. a screen used to exclude part of an image. 7 the face or head of an animal, esp. a fox. 8 = face-pack. 9 archaic a masked person.
v.tr. 1 cover (the face etc.) with a mask. 2 disguise or conceal (a taste, one's feelings, etc.). 3 protect from a process. 4 Mil. a conceal (a battery etc.) from the enemy's view. b hinder (an army etc.) from action by observing with adequate force. c hinder (a friendly force) by standing in its line of fire. masking tape adhesive tape used in painting to cover areas on which paint is not wanted. masker n.
[ F masque f. It. maschera f. Arab. maskara buffoon f. sakira to ridicule ]