Topic: CLOTHES
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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old North French |
| Origin: | veile, from Latin vela, plural of velum 'sail, curtain, cloth, veil' |
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veil1
[countable]
[countable]1DCC a thin piece of material that women wear to cover their faces at formal occasions or for religious reasons : She lifted her veil with both hands. a bridal veil
She lifted her veil with both hands.a bridal veil2 the system in Islamic countries in which women must cover their hair and faces in public
the veil
RRI3 to avoid talking about something that happened in the past because it is unpleasant or embarrassing : I think it best to draw a veil over the whole incident.
draw a veil over something
formalI think it best to draw a veil over the whole incident.4 something that hides the truth about a situation : His pornography was covered by a veil of respectability.
veil of secrecy/deceit/silence etc
formalHis pornography was covered by a veil of respectability.5 a thin layer of mist, cloud etc that makes it difficult to see clearly : The moon was hidden behind a veil of clouds.
veil of mist/cloud/smoke etc
DNThe moon was hidden behind a veil of clouds.
