Mascaron

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Mask \Mask\ (m[.a]sk), n. [F. masque, LL. masca, mascha, mascus;
     cf. Sp. & Pg. m['a]scara, It. maschera; all fr. Ar. maskharat
     buffoon, fool, pleasantry, anything ridiculous or mirthful,
     fr. sakhira to ridicule, to laugh at. Cf. {Masque},
     {Masquerade}.]
     1. A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise


        or protection; as, a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a
        ball player's mask.
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     2. That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge.
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     3. A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions,
        where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a
        frolic; a delusive show. --Bacon.
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              This thought might lead me through the world's vain
              mask.                                 --Milton.
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     4. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the
        actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical
        characters.
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     5. (Arch.) A grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones
        and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains,
        and the like; -- called also {mascaron}.
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     6. (Fort.)
        (a) In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects
            the caponiere.
        (b) A screen for a battery.
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     7. (Zool.) The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly,
        modified so as to form a prehensile organ.
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     8. A person wearing a mask; a masker.
  
              The mask that has the arm of the Indian queen. --G.
                                                    W. Cable.
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     9. (Sporting) The head or face of a fox.
  
     {Mask house}, a house for masquerades. [Obs.]
  
     {Death mask}, a cast of the face of a dead person.
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