vizard

Noun

1. A mask (cover for the face, used for disguise, protection, etc.)
   • […] one Roscius Gallus the most excellent player among the Romaines brought up these vizards, which we see at this day used, partly to supply the want of players, when there were moe parts than there were persons, or...
   • There, then, that vizard, that superfluous case That hid the worse and show’d the better face. - c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories,...
   • An actor on the Italian stage permitted at the Foire du St. Germain, in Paris, was renowned for the wild, venturous, and extravagant wit, the brilliant sallies and fortunate repartees, with which he prodigally seasoned...
2. A visor (part of a helmet covering the face).
   • I walked up gravely to the window in my dusty black coat, and looking through the glass saw all the world in yellow, blue, and green, running at the ring of pleasure.—The old with broken lances, and in helmets which had...
3. Outward appearance; pretense.
   • Oh, that deceit should steal such gentle shapes, And with a virtuous vizard hide foul guile! - c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies,...
   • And why should God enter covenant with a people to be holy, as the Command is holy, and just, and good, Rom. 7.12 and yet suffer an impure and treacherous dispence to mislead and betray them under the vizard of Law to a...
   • In all Revolutions of Government, he would make his Court for the Office of Hangman General; and in the Exercise of that Dignity, wherein he was very dextrous, would make use of no other Vizard than a long Prayer. -...
4. Alternative spelling of visard (“type of mask”).