masking

[mas-king, mah-sking]

noun

1. backing.

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

masking

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• unmasking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of masking¹

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

Example Sentences

Although I took precautions from the beginning, with masking and vaccinations, I was also out in public a lot for work and travel.

From Los Angeles Times

Attitudes towards ground pay began to shift after the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought in new rules around masking on planes and greatly altered how cabin crew prepare a plane for take off.

From BBC

The plan exposes a chilling logic: to turn the site of mass suffering into a profitable venture by erasing its people, commodifying their dispossession and masking genocide behind the language of development.

From Salon

Some fake tanners are even using masking tape - the type I use on my skirting boards - to create that crisp line across their skin.

From BBC

It’s doublespeak, masking an agenda to galvanize a bloodthirsty base and make state violence sound reasonable, even necessary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cloak 
• disguise 
• mask 
• veil