Definition of veil
1a : a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often especially in Eastern countries for the face; specifically : the outer covering of a nun's headdressb : a length of veiling or netting worn over the head or face or attached for protection or ornament to a hat or headdress a bridal veilc : any of various liturgical cloths; especially : a cloth used to cover the chalice
2 : the life of a nun —often used in the phrase take the veil
3 : a concealing curtain or cover of cloth
4 : something that resembles a veil a veil of stars; especially : something that hides or obscures like a veil lift the veil of secrecy
5 : a covering body part or membrane: such asa : velumb : caul
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Examples of veil in a Sentence
Veils of moss draped the trees.
under the veil of descending darkness the thieves began their operation
Origin and Etymology of veil
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin vēla, plural of vēlum “sail, awning, curtain,” going back to *u̯eg-s-lo-, perhaps derivative of a verbal base *u̯eg-, akin to Old Irish -fig- “weaves,” Old English wēoce “wick” — more at 1wick
First Known Use: 13th century
Other Clothing Terms
veil
Definition of veil
transitive verb
: to cover, provide, obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil
intransitive verb
: to put on or wear a veil
Examples of veil in a Sentence
Her eyes were partially veiled by her long, dark hair.
The sun was veiled by clouds.
Origin and Etymology of veil
Middle English veilen, borrowed from Anglo-French veler, verbal derivative of veil 1veil
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Clothing Terms
VEIL Defined for English Language Learners
veil
playDefinition of veil for English Language Learners
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: a piece of cloth or net worn usually by women over the head and shoulders and sometimes over the face
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: something that covers or hides something else
veil
Definition of veil for English Language Learners
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: to cover (something) with a veil or with something that is like a veil : to hide or partly hide (something)
VEIL Defined for Kids
Definition of veil for Students
1 : a piece of cloth or net worn usually by women over the head and shoulders and sometimes over the face
2 : something that covers or hides like a veil a veil of secrecy Her hazel eyes, under their veil of long lashes, had a greenish flash to them. — Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain
Definition of veil for Students
veiled
;veiling
: to cover with or as if with a piece of cloth or net for the head and shoulders or face
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about veil
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See words that rhyme with veil Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for veil Spanish Central: Translation of veil Nglish: Translation of veil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of veil for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about veil
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