GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 5 definitions 

  1.       

    Caul , n. [OE. calle, kelle, prob. fr. F. cale; cf. Ir. calla a veil.]
    1. A covering of network for the head, worn by women; also, a net.
      Spenser.

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    2. (Anat.) The fold of membrane loaded with fat, which covers more or less of the intestines in mammals; the great omentum. See Omentum.
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      The caul serves for the warming of the lower belly.
      Ray.

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    3. A part of the amnion, one of the membranes enveloping the fetus, which sometimes is round the head of a child at its birth; -- called also a veil.
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      +PJC
      It is deemed lucky to be with a caul or membrane over the face. This caul is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning . . . According to Chrysostom, the midwives frequently sold it for magic uses.
      Grose.

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      I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas.
      Dickens.

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  2.       

    Vail, v. t. [Aphetic form of avale. See Avale, Vale.] [Written also vale, and veil.]
    1. To let fall; to allow or cause to sink. [Obs.]
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      Vail your regard
      Upon a wronged, I would fain have said, a maid!
      Shak.

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    2. To lower, or take off, in token of inferiority, reverence, submission, or the like.
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      France must vail her lofty-plumed crest!
      Shak.

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      Without vailing his bonnet or testifying any reverence for the alleged sanctity of the relic.
      Sir. W. Scott.

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  3.       

    Vail , v. i. To yield or recede; to give place; to show respect by yielding, uncovering, or the like. [Written also vale, and veil.] [Obs.]
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    Thy convenience must vail to thy neighbor's necessity.
    South.

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  4.       

    Veil , n. [OE. veile, OF. veile, F. voile, L. velum a sail, covering, curtain, veil, probably fr. vehere to bear, carry, and thus originally, that which bears the ship on. See Vehicle, and cf. Reveal.] [Written also vail.]
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    1. Something hung up, or spread out, to intercept the view, and hide an object; a cover; a curtain; esp., a screen, usually of gauze, crape, or similar diaphnous material, to hide or protect the face.
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      The veil of the temple was rent in twain.
      Matt. xxvii. 51.

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      She, as a veil down to the slender waist,
      Her unadornéd golden tresses wore.
      Milton.

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    2. A cover; a disguise; a mask; a pretense.
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      [I will] pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page.
      Shak.

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    3. (Bot.) (a) The calyptra of mosses. (b) A membrane connecting the margin of the pileus of a mushroom with the stalk; -- called also velum.
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    4. (Eccl.) A covering for a person or thing; as, a nun's veil; a paten veil; an altar veil.
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    5. (Zool.) Same as Velum, 3.
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      To take the veil (Eccl.), to receive or be covered with, a veil, as a nun, in token of retirement from the world; to become a nun.
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  5.       

    Veil , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Veiled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Veiling.] [Cf. OF. veler, F. voiler, L. velarc. See Veil, n.] [Written also vail.]
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    1. To throw a veil over; to cover with a veil.
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      Her face was veiled; yet to my fancied sight,
      Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.
      Milton.

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    2. Fig.: To invest; to cover; to hide; to conceal.
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      To keep your great pretenses veiled.
      Shak.

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