vizard-mask Now arch.
[f. vizard n. Cf. visor-mask visor n. 6 b.]
1. A mask worn to conceal or disguise the face; a domino; = vizard 1.
| 1667 Dryden & Dk. Newcastle Sir Martin Mar-all v. iii, Fetch me down two Indian-gowns and Vizard-masks. 1688 R. Holme Armoury iii. 13/1 The Visard Mask..covers the whole face,..being only held in the Teeth by means of a round bead. 1693 Wood Life (O.H.S.) III. 438, 3 hackney coaches rob'd at Wheatley bridge by 4 Oxford scholars (as 'tis said) with vizard maskes. 1704 Lond. Gaz. No. 3985/1 That no Woman be allowed..to wear a Vizard-Mask in either of the Theatres. 1760 Ann. Reg., Chron. 73/2 A man habited like a sailor with a vizard mask on. |
2. A woman who wears such a mask; a prostitute. (Cf. vizard n. 5.)
| 1670 Dryden 2nd Pt. Conq. Granada Prol. 25 As those Vizard Masks maintain that Fashion, To soothe and tickle sweet Imagination. 1672 Wycherley Love in Wood v. ii, There are as grave men as your worship..that adjourn their cares and businesses, to come and unbend themselves at night here with a little vizard-mask. 1710 Steele Tatler No. 193 ¶3 His dexterous Insinuations, which prevailed upon a few deluded Women, especially the Vizard Masks, to believe that the Stage was in danger. 1740 Cibber Apol. (1756) II. 143 The play-houses are so extremely pestered with Vizard-masks and their trade. [1823 Scott Peveril xxviii, Billets-doux, my lord... This left at the porter's⁓lodge by a vizard mask.] |