masked
UK: mɑːskt | US: mæskt
adj. wearing a mask to conceal one's identity
adj. disguised or hidden in appearance or nature
adj. (biology) marked with coloration resembling a mask
The word "masked" derives from the noun "mask," which entered English in the 1530s from Middle French masque (a covering to hide the face). The French term likely traces back to Italian maschera and Medieval Latin masca (mask, specter), possibly of Arabic origin (maskharah – mockery, buffoonery). The suffix "-ed" transforms the noun into a past-participle adjective, indicating the state of wearing or being concealed by a mask. Over time, "masked" expanded metaphorically to describe anything concealed or disguised, including biological traits.
The masked figure slipped silently through the crowd.
Her masked emotions made it hard to guess her true feelings.
The bird has distinctive masked markings around its eyes.
Protesters gathered, many of them masked for anonymity.
The malware operated through a masked IP address.