mask / mask/ • n. 1. a covering for all or part of the face, in particular: ∎  a covering worn as a disguise, or to amuse or terrify other people. ∎  a covering made of fiber or gauze and fitting over the nose and mouth to protect against dust or air pollutants, or made of sterile gauze and worn to prevent infection of the wearer or (in surgery) of the patient. ∎  a protective covering fitting over the whole face, worn in fencing, ice hockey, and other sports. ∎  a respirator used to filter inhaled air or to supply gas for inhalation. ∎  (also masque) a cosmetic preparation spread over the face and left for some time to cleanse and improve the skin. ∎  Entomol. the enlarged lower lip of a dragonfly larva, which can be extended to seize prey.2. a likeness of a person's face in clay or wax, esp. one made by taking a mold from the face. ∎  a person's face regarded as having set into a particular expression: his face was a mask of rage. ∎  a hollow model of a human head worn by ancient Greek and Roman actors. ∎  the face or head of an animal, esp. of a fox, as a hunting trophy. ∎ archaic a masked person.3. fig. a disguise or pretense: she let her mask of moderate respectability slip.4. Photog. a piece of something, such as a card, used to cover a part of an image that is not required when exposing a print. ∎ Electr. a patterned metal film used in the manufacture of microcircuits to allow selective modification of the underlying material.• v. [tr.] cover (the face) with a mask. ∎  conceal (something) from view: the poplars masked a factory. ∎  disguise or hide (a sensation or quality): brandy did not completely mask the bitter taste. ∎  cover (an object or surface) so as to protect it from a process, esp. painting: mask off doors and cupboards with sheets of plastic.DERIVATIVES: masked adj.

Mask ★★★ 1985 (PG-13)

A dramatization of the true story of a young boy afflicted with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia (elephantiasis). The boy overcomes his appearance and revels in the joys of life in the California bikers' community. Well acted, particularly the performances of Stoltz and Cher. A touching film, well-directed by Bogdanovich, that only occasionally slips into maudlin territory. 120m/C VHS, DVD . Cher, Sam Elliott, Eric Stoltz, Estelle Getty, Richard Dysart, Laura Dern, Harry Carey Jr., Lawrence Monoson, Marsha Warfield, Barry Tubb, Andrew (Andy) Robinson, Alexandra Powers; D: Peter Bogdanovich; W: Anna Hamilton Phelan; C: Laszlo Kovacs. Oscars ‘85: Makeup; Cannes ‘85: Actress (Cher).

mask (labial mask, labium) Organ formed from the labium, and found only in the nymphs of the insect order Odonata: it is so named because it covers the mouth-parts, and sometimes the face. It is prehensile, and nymphs use it to capture prey by extending it at high speed and impaling the prey on the terminal spikes, or by trapping prey in a basket formed by the mask and its associated bristles.

mask. Representation of a human, animal, or fantastic face used in architectural ornament, often part of grotesque decoration. See mascaron.

2. Label-stop (2) carved to resemble a head, called head- or mask-stop.

mask, maske. Old spellings of masque. Sometimes found attached to, for instance, a virginals piece, where it probably implies a dance of a suitable character for use in a masque.