n.
Pronunciation: ' v ā l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French veil, veille, from Latin vela, plural of velum sail, awning, curtain
Date: 13th century
1 a : a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often especially in Eastern countries for the face specifically : the outer covering of a nun's headdress b : a length of veiling or netting worn over the head or face or attached for protection or ornament to a hat or headdress <a bridal veil > c : any of various liturgical cloths especially : a cloth used to cover the chalice
2 : the life of a nun ― often used in the phrase take the veil
3 : a concealing curtain or cover of cloth
4 : something that resembles a veil <a veil of stars> especially : something that hides or obscures like a veil <lift the veil of secrecy>
5 : a covering body part or membrane: as a : VELUM b : CAUL