A mask is a covering worn over the face to hide it, protect it, or create a special appearance. To mask something means to cover it or hide its true nature.
From French 'masque', from Italian 'maschera', possibly from Arabic 'maskhara' meaning 'buffoon' or 'mockery'. Masks were first strongly linked to performance and disguise.
Masks flip our usual rule: you hide your real face to show a character, a role, or even a mood. In chemistry and sound engineering, 'masking' still keeps the idea of one thing covering or hiding another from view or hearing.
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