veiled
UK: veɪld | US: veɪld
adj. covered with or as if with a veil; concealed or disguised
adj. (of speech or writing) deliberately ambiguous or unclear
The word "veiled" derives from the noun "veil," which traces back to Old French "veile" (a covering) and Latin "velum" (a sail, curtain, or veil). The suffix "-ed" transforms it into an adjective, indicating a state of being covered or obscured. Historically, veils were literal garments for concealment, but the term evolved metaphorically to describe hidden meanings or ambiguous language.
She wore a veiled hat to shield her face from the sun.
His veiled criticism left everyone unsure of his true opinion.
The artist's veiled references to mythology intrigued critics.
Her veiled emotions made it hard to tell if she was upset.
The report contained veiled threats disguised as advice.