Etymology
Advertisement

mascara (n.)

"cosmetic for coloring eyebrows and eyelashes," originally used by actors, 1883, mascaro (modern form from 1922), from Spanish máscara "a stain; a mask," from same source as Italian maschera "mask" (see mask (v.)).

Entries linking to mascara

mask (v.)

1560s, "to take part in a masquerade" (a sense now obsolete); 1580s as "to wear a mask," also "disguise (feelings, etc.) under an assumed outward show;" from mask (n.) and French masquer. Military sense of "conceal" (a battery, etc.) from the view of the enemy" is from 1706. Related: Masked; masking. Masking tape recorded from 1927; so called because it is used to block out certain surfaces before painting.

updated on September 05, 2020

Advertisement
Advertisement

Dictionary entries near mascara

Marxist

Mary

Maryland

marzipan

masala

mascara

mascot

masculate

masculine

masculinity

maser

© 2001-2023 Douglas Harper