cloak

[klohk]

noun

1. a loose outer garment, as a cape or coat.

2. something that covers or conceals; disguise; pretense.

   He conducts his affairs under a cloak of secrecy.

   Synonyms: veil, mask, cover

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with or as if with a cloak.

   She arrived at the opera cloaked in green velvet.

2. to hide; conceal.

   The mission was cloaked in mystery.

cloak

/ kləʊk /

noun

1. a wraplike outer garment fastened at the throat and falling straight from the shoulders

2. something that covers or conceals

verb

1. to cover with or as if with a cloak

2. to hide or disguise

Other Word Forms

• cloakless adjective
• undercloak noun
• well-cloaked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloak¹

1175–1225; Middle English cloke (< Old French ) < Medieval Latin cloca, variant of clocca bell-shaped cape, bell; clock ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloak¹

C13: from Old French cloque, from Medieval Latin clocca cloak, bell; referring to the bell-like shape

Example Sentences

These thick cloaks of dust might dim the stars' light to the point of utter undetectability.

Read more on Science Daily

When producers allow a star’s heroic jawline and eyebrow harmony to be covered in scars and a cloak, you know the artistic ambitions are high.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"I've had to have my cloak taken out because I'm so fat," he joked in the first traitors' meeting in the turret.

Read more on BBC

"She just sliced through like she had an invisible cloak on. Oh my gosh, what a wonder try."

Read more on BBC

In the early republic, even homicide could be absorbed into politics when cloaked in ritual.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• camouflage 
• conceal 
• dress up 
• obscure 
• shroud 
• veil