n. [ F. masque, LL. masca, mascha, mascus; cf. Sp. & Pg. máscara, It. maschera; all fr. Ar. maskharat buffoon, fool, pleasantry, anything ridiculous or mirthful, fr. sakhira to ridicule, to laugh at. Cf. Masque, Masquerade. ] 1. A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection; as, a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a ball player's mask. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions, where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a frolic; a delusive show. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical characters. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Arch.) A grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains, and the like; -- called also mascaron. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Fort.) (a) In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects the caponiere. (b) A screen for a battery. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. (Zool.) The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly, modified so as to form a prehensile organ. [ 1913 Webster ] 8. A person wearing a mask; a masker. The mask that has the arm of the Indian queen. G. W. Cable. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ] 9. (Sporting) The head or face of a fox.
Mask house, a house for masquerades. [ Obs. ] --
Death mask, a cast of the face of a dead person. [ 1913 Webster ]
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