face mask

noun

Sports. the protective equipment, usually made of steel or plastic, that guards the face, as the steel cage worn by a baseball catcher or the molded plastic covering worn by a hockey goalkeeper.
any of various similar devices to shield the face, sometimes attached to or forming part of a helmet, as that worn by workers engaged in a hazardous activity.

Origin of face mask

First recorded in 1905–10; face + mask

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

So we headed toward a shoreline reef, slipped on face masks and tumbled into the water.
A Maui vacation in three acts | Alex Pulaski | February 12, 2021 | Washington Post
“Given recent reports of SARS-CoV-2 variants, comprehensive compliance with face mask requirements remains a first-order measure to mitigate transmission, even as population vaccinations progress,” the report concluded.
Airports have taken steps to reduce coronavirus transmission but risks still remain, study says | Lori Aratani | February 12, 2021 | Washington Post
It is important to keep face masks clean so people who wear them do not accidentally infect themselves with the germs on the face masks.
Why you shouldn’t ever wear your mask around your neck | Erin Fennessy | February 11, 2021 | Popular-Science
Dressed in activewear and tracking his walk on a sports watch, Adams scoops up everything in sight, from plastic water bottles to food wrappers, beer cans and disposable face masks.
The ‘garbage guy’ walks 12 miles a day around D.C. picking up trash: ‘I’ll pick up pretty much anything.’ | Sydney Page | February 11, 2021 | Washington Post
Until there is a dramatic decline in fatality rates, however, face masks and social distancing will still be a part of everyone’s life, including those who are vaccinated.
Covid-19 vaccines are great — but you still need to wear a mask for now | Umair Irfan | February 9, 2021 | Vox

Shann drew up the hood of his jacket and snapped the transparent face mask into place.
Storm Over Warlock | Andre Norton
The girl took the map in her gloved hands and peered intently through her face-mask.
Shock Treatment | Stanley Mullen
It's in Nick's methods ter wear a black face-mask an' leave his victim helplessly gagged.
Kiddie the Scout | Robert Leighton
Behind the face-mask, her thin features were pale, ghostlike.
Shock Treatment | Stanley Mullen
Porter wore a leather face-mask, with a lozenge-shaped breathing-hole, and slanted openings covered with yellow glass for eyes.
High Adventure | James Norman Hall

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