Veil /(vāl)/

Veil

n.
  1. Something hung up, or spread out, to intercept the view, and hide an object; a cover; a curtain; esp., a screen, usually of gauze, crape, or similar diaphnous material, to hide or protect the face.
    The veil of the temple was rent in twain.
    — Matt. xxvii. 51.
    She, as a veil down to the slender waist, Her unadornéd golden tresses wore.
  2. A cover; a disguise; a mask; a pretense.
    [I will] pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page.
  3. The calyptra of mosses. (Bot.)
  4. A covering for a person or thing; as, a nun's veil; a paten veil; an altar veil. (Eccl.)
  5. Same as Velum, 3. (Zool.)

Phrases & Compounds
To take the veil
to receive or be covered with, a veil, as a nun, in token of retirement from the world; to become a nun.

Veil

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Veiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Veiling

  1. To throw a veil over; to cover with a veil.
    Her face was veiled; yet to my fancied sight, Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.
  2. Fig.: To invest; to cover; to hide; to conceal.
    To keep your great pretenses veiled.