ENGLISH
REFERENCE

masked

adj.
US //ˈmæskt// UK //mˈɑːskt// masked
  1. 1 wearing a face covering (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    wearing a mask to hide your face or protect yourself.

    wearing a mask for the purpose of disguise, protection, or ritual.

    Example

    The masked intruder fled the building before the police arrived.

    Example

    Security footage captured three masked individuals entering the vault, though their identities remained obscured by the heavy fabric of their disguises.

  2. 2 hidden or disguised (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    hidden or kept secret so that people do not notice the truth.

    concealed or disguised; often used to describe emotions, symptoms, or sounds that are obscured by something else.

    Example

    Her polite smile masked her true feelings of anger.

    Example

    The patient presented with masked symptoms that made an initial diagnosis difficult for the attending physician.

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  1. 3 animal markings (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    having a face or head that is a different colour from the rest of the body.

    possessing distinct facial markings, particularly when the anterior part of the head differs in colour from the rest of the plumage or fur.

    Example

    The masked weaver is a bird known for the black feathers on its face.

    Example

    The masked shrew is easily identified by its distinctive facial pigmentation, which contrasts sharply with its dorsal fur.

Origin

From mask + -ed.

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