VEIL Meaning and
Definition
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A veil is a piece of fabric or material worn by women, particularly in certain cultural or religious traditions, to cover the face, head, or body for the purpose of modesty or as a symbol of devotion or respect. It is typically worn during religious ceremonies, weddings, or funerals.
The primary function of a veil is to obscure or partially conceal certain parts of the body or face, creating a barrier or separation between the wearer and the external world. Veils can range in design, length, and thickness depending on the cultural context and personal preferences. They can be sheer or opaque, plain or embellished with intricate patterns, beads, or lace.
Beyond its practical significance, the veil often carries symbolic meanings. It can represent purity, innocence, and marital status for brides during wedding ceremonies. In some religious rituals, it serves as a physical manifestation of respect and reverence towards a higher power or sacred spaces.
Additionally, the term "veil" can also be used figuratively to describe a metaphorical barrier that obscures or hides the truth, intentions, or emotions of an individual or situation. It implies a sense of secrecy, mystery, or concealment, suggesting that something is not fully revealed or understood. In this sense, the concept of a veil extends beyond physical fabric and encompasses abstract concepts of perception and knowledge.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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• A thin transparent cloth used by females to shade or conceal the face; that which is used for intercepting the view and hiding something; a curtain.
• To conceal; to cover to hide.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for VEIL *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for VEIL
Etymology of VEIL
The word "veil" has an interesting etymology. It can be traced back to the Old English word "fǣlan", which means "to cover". In Old English, the word evolved into "fǣlan" and "fegel", still denoting a covering. Eventually, around the 13th century, it transformed into the Middle English term "veil", which specifically referred to a garment that covered the face or head. This word was borrowed from the Old French word "vuel", with the same meaning. The Old French term can be associated with the Latin word "vēlum", meaning "sail" or "curtain". The word "veil" has since retained its general meaning of a cloth or material used to conceal or cover something, especially for religious, ceremonial, or modesty purposes.
Idioms with the word VEIL
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beyond the veil
The idiom "beyond the veil" refers to something that is hidden, mysterious, or inaccessible. It often conveys the idea of something that is unknowable or exists in a different realm or dimension, beyond what is immediately perceivable or comprehensible.
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lift the veil (on something)
The idiom "lift the veil (on something)" means to reveal or uncover the hidden or secret aspects of something, to expose the truth or provide clarity about a situation or topic that was previously unknown or concealed. It implies shedding light on the underlying realities or making something transparent and understandable.
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cast/draw/throw a veil over something
The idiom "cast/draw/throw a veil over something" means to deliberately conceal or obscure the truth, details, or nature of something, usually to protect oneself or others from facing the reality or to maintain secrecy. It implies intentionally hiding or downplaying certain aspects of a situation, event, or information.
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draw a veil over (something)
The idiom "draw a veil over (something)" means to conceal or hide something, particularly an embarrassing, shameful, or unpleasant event, truth, or situation. It suggests avoiding or not discussing a particular topic to maintain secrecy, protect someone's reputation, or simply move past an uncomfortable subject.
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draw a veil over sth
To "draw a veil over something" is an idiomatic expression that means to conceal or cover up an unpleasant or embarrassing matter, usually by not discussing it or by choosing to ignore it. It suggests deliberately avoiding or omitting a topic or issue, often to maintain harmony or to avoid causing discomfort or offense.
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lift the veil
The idiom "lift the veil" is often used metaphorically to describe the act of revealing or uncovering something that has been concealed or hidden, especially to gain a deeper understanding or to expose the truth behind a situation or event. It implies removing the barrier or disguise that obscures the real nature of something, allowing a clearer perception or insight to be gained.
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draw a veil over
The idiom "draw a veil over" means to conceal or hide something, especially an unpleasant or embarrassing topic, event, or aspect, usually in order to avoid discussing or revealing it.
Similar spelling words for VEIL
Conjugate verb Veil
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have veiled
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would have veiled
I
would have veil
you
would have veil
he/she/it
would have veil
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would have veil
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would have veil
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been veiling
you
would have been veiling
he/she/it
would have been veiling
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would have been veiling
they
would have been veiling
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would veil
you
would veil
he/she/it
would veil
we
would veil
they
would veil
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be veiling
you
would be veiling
he/she/it
would be veiling
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would be veiling
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would be veiling
FUTURE
I
will veil
you
will veil
he/she/it
will veil
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will veil
they
will veil
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be veiling
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will be veiling
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will be veiling
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will be veiling
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will be veiling
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have veiled
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will have veiled
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will have veiled
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will have veiled
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will have veiled
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been veiling
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will have been veiling
he/she/it
will have been veiling
we
will have been veiling
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will have been veiling
IMPERATIVE
you
veil
we
let´s veil
to veil
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was veiling
you
were veiling
he/she/it
was veiling
we
were veiling
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were veiling
PAST PARTICIPLE
veiled
PAST PERFECT
I
had veiled
you
had veiled
he/she/it
had veiled
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had veiled
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had veiled
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been veiling
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had been veiling
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had been veiling
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PRESENT
I
veil
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veil
he/she/it
veils
we
veil
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veil
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am veiling
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are veiling
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is veiling
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are veiling
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are veiling
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
veiling
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have veiled
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has veiled
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have veiled
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PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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have been veiling
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PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
veil
SIMPLE PAST
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veiled
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veiled
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veiled
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veiled
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veiled