cloak

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to cover with or as if with a cloak

   The monks cloaked themselves.

2. 2
   noun

   A long outer garment worn over the shoulders covering the back; a cape, often with a hood.

   ‘It's rather like a beautiful Inverness cloak one has inherited. Much too good to hide away, so one wears it instead of an overcoat and pretends it's an amusing new fashion.’

3. 3
   noun

   A blanket-like covering, often metaphorical.

   Night hid her movements with its cloak of darkness.

4. 4
   noun

   That which conceals; a disguise or pretext.

   For neither at any time vſed wee flattering wordes, as yee knowe, nor a cloke of couetouſneſſe, God is witneſſe: […]

5. 5
   verb

   To cover as with or like a cloak.

   He would hold her, just hold her, while his hands soothed the bare skin of her arms and the delicate fabric that cloaked her shoulders and her back.

6. 6
   verb

   To cover up, hide or conceal.

   It’s possible that some microbes don’t just take up residence in tumors but help them grow. They may cloak the tumor from the immune system, neutralize drugs or help tumors spread through the body.

7. 7
   verb

   To render or become invisible via futuristic technology.

   The ship cloaked before entering the enemy sector of space.

8. 8
   noun

   a loose outer garment

Etymology

From Middle English cloke, from Old Northern French cloque (“travelling cloak”), from Medieval Latin clocca (“travelers' cape, literally “a bell”, so called from the garment’s bell-like shape”), of Celtic origin, from Proto-Celtic *klokkos, ultimately imitative. Doublet of cloche and clock.