I. ˈvāl 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
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
: to cover, provide, obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil
intransitive verb
: to put on or wear a veil