Main Entry: ¹veil

Pronunciation: \ˈvāl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French veil, veille, from Latin vela, plural of velum sail, awning, curtain

Date: 13th century

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>
5 : a covering body part or membrane: as a : velum b : caul