mask

Where does the word "mask" come from? It comes from Arabic maskhara, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1530s).

Mask’s story begins in Arabic: maskhara meant “a jester, a disguised person.” A buffoon or someone in disguise for mockery. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as maschera. Carried into Italian for a face covering worn in performance. From there it passed into French as masque by 1500s. A covering to hide or guard the face. It reached English by 1530s as mask. Settled as the English word for a face covering. Today, mask means a covering worn over the face for protection, disguise, or performance.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval maskhara "a jester, a disguised person", a buffoon or someone in disguise for mockery.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval maschera "a face covering", carried into Italian for a face covering worn in performance.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1500s masque "a face covering", a covering to hide or guard the face.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1530s mask "a covering worn over the face", settled as the English word for a face covering.