First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1veil
noun \ˈvāl\
: a piece of cloth or net worn usually by women over the head and shoulders and sometimes over the face
: something that covers or hides something else
Full Definition of VEIL
1
a : 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 headdress b : 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 veil> c : 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>
See veil defined for English-language learners
See veil defined for kids
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Origin of VEIL
Middle English, from Anglo-French veil, veille, from Latin vela, plural of velum sail, awning, curtain
Related to VEIL
Other Clothing Terms
Rhymes with VEIL
2veil
verb
: to cover (something) with a veil or with something that is like a veil : to hide or partly hide (something)
Full 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
See veil defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of VEIL
14th century
Related to VEIL
Other Clothing Terms
VEIL[1] Defined for Kids
1veil
noun \ˈvāl\
Definition of VEIL for Kids
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>
2veil
verb
veiledveil·ing
Definition of VEIL for Kids
: to cover with or as if with a piece of cloth or net for the head and shoulders or face
Medical Dictionary
veil
noun \ˈvā(ə)l\
Learn More About VEIL
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Seen & Heard
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