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mascaron

mascaron

 

  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Mask  \Mask\,  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. 
 
  2.  That  which  disguises;  a  pretext  or  subterfuge. 
 
  3.  A  festive  entertainment  of  dancing  or  other  diversions, 
  where  all  wear  masks;  a  masquerade;  hence  a  revel;  a 
  frolic;  a  delusive  show  --Bacon. 
 
  This  thought  might  lead  me  through  the  world's  vain 
  mask.  --Milton. 
 
  4.  A  dramatic  performance,  formerly  in  vogue,  in  which  the 
  actors  wore  masks  and  represented  mythical  or  allegorical 
  characters. 
 
  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}. 
 
  6.  (Fort.) 
  a  In  a  permanent  fortification,  a  redoubt  which  protects 
  the  caponiere. 
  b  A  screen  for  a  battery. 
 
  7.  (Zo["o]l.)  The  lower  lip  of  the  larva  of  a  dragon  fly, 
  modified  so  as  to  form  a  prehensile  organ. 
 
  {Mask  house},  a  house  for  masquerades.  [Obs.]