[veil] n [ME veile, fr. ONF, fr. L vela, pl. of velum sail, awning, curtain] (13c) 1 a: a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often esp. in Eastern countries for the face; specif: 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 c: any of various liturgical cloths; esp: a cloth used to cover the chalice
2: the cloistered life of a nun
3: a concealing curtain or cover of cloth
4: something that hides or obscures like a veil
5: a covering body part or membrane: as a: velum b: caul
[2]veil vt (14c): to cover, provide, obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil ~ vi: to put on or wear a veil