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REFERENCE

veil

n. · v.
US //ˈveɪɫ// UK //vˈeɪl// veil
  1. 1 facial covering (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a thin piece of fabric worn over the head or face, often for religious reasons or at a wedding.

    a garment of sheer fabric worn over the head or face for concealment, protection, or as part of ceremonial or religious dress.

    Example

    The bride lifted her veil just before the couple shared their first kiss.

    Example

    In many cultures, the veil serves as a complex symbol of modesty, social status, or religious devotion, depending on the specific historical context.
  2. 2 figurative barrier (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    something that hides the truth or prevents you from seeing a situation clearly.

    a figurative barrier or concealment that obscures the true nature of a situation or entity.

    Example

    The company hid its financial problems behind a veil of secrecy.

    Example

    The intelligence agency operated behind a thick veil of anonymity, making it nearly impossible for journalists to identify the lead investigators.
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  1. 3 fungal/marine membrane (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a thin layer of tissue that covers a young mushroom or part of a jellyfish.

    a delicate membrane in biological structures, such as the velum of a medusa or the tissue connecting a mushroom cap to its stalk.

    Example

    As the mushroom grows, the veil breaks to reveal the gills underneath.

    Example

    The partial veil remains visible as a ring around the stipe once the pileus has fully expanded during the fruiting stage.
  2. 4 to hide or cover (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to cover something with a cloth or to hide the truth about something.

    to cover with a veil or to obscure something so as to render it indistinct or hidden.

    Example

    Mist began to veil the mountains as the sun started to set.

    Example

    The diplomat carefully veiled his criticism in polite language to avoid causing a major international incident during the summit.
Origin

From Middle English veil, veyl, from Anglo-Norman and Old Northern French veil (“sail, veil, shroud”) (Francien Old French voil, French voile), Latin vēlum (“cloth, covering”). Displaced Middle English scleire, scleyre, sleyre, slyre (“veil”) (compare German Schleier). Doublet of velum and voile.

Idioms1 entry

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