Veil — Defs

01 n. 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, o…

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.” — Milton.
2.
A cover; a disguise; a mask; a pretense.
“[I will] pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page.” — Shak.
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.) See: Velum

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.

02 v. t. To throw a veil over; to cover with a veil.

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.” — Milton.
2.
Fig.: To invest; to cover; to hide; to conceal.
“To keep your great pretenses veiled.” — Shak.