masking

American  

[mas-king, mah-sking] / ˈmæs kɪŋ, ˈmɑ skɪŋ /

noun

1. backing.

2. Psychology. obscuring, partially or completely, one sensory process by another, as the dulling of the sense of taste by smoking.

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masking British  

/ ˈmɑːskɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or practice of masking

2. psychol the process by which a stimulus (usually visual or auditory) is obscured by the presence of another almost simultaneous stimulus

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Other Word Forms

• unmasking adjective

Etymology

Origin of masking

First recorded in 1920–25; mask + -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

They’ve become experts in kayfabe, the dramatic art of masking fake conflict as real.

From The Wall Street Journal

Perhaps the masking charm had worked; or perhaps, as Renn pointed out, the bear was in the west, wreaking havoc among the clans.

From Literature

Analysts say a relatively steady unemployment rate has been masking churn beneath the surface.

From Barron's

He’s written his name on a thick piece of masking tape, and right underneath it, in smaller print, he’s written, “Running for Dad.”

From Literature

According MarineTraffic data analysed by AFP on Friday, only nine commercial ships -- tankers, cargo vessels and container ships -- had been detected crossing the strait since Monday, with some intermittently masking their position.

From Barron's

Related Words

• cloak
• disguise
• mask
• veil