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 chalice2: the life of a nun —often used in the phrase take the veil3: a concealing curtain or cover of cloth4: 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

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