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 might be carrying feelings of shame and masking it."

From BBC

Levomenthol - an ingredient found in some cough syrups for chesty coughs - meanwhile, offers a "cooling sensation" at the back of the throat, which limits the tickle by masking the sense of irritation.

From BBC

Illicit oil has been moved on a so-called shadow fleet of tankers outside of Western oversight, and crude can then be transferred at sea, ship to ship, masking a cargo’s origin.

From The Wall Street Journal

Today, the diagnosis includes children whose autism was previously overlooked because of their propensity for “masking,” the act of consciously or unconsciously suppressing autistic traits in order to blend in.

From Los Angeles Times

The diagnostic definition of autism has evolved over the years and now includes children who cope by “masking”: consciously or unconsciously suppressing autistic traits in order to fit in at school or in social environments.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cloak
• disguise
• mask
• veil