cloak

"What is the use of these little napkins?" he asked. "I can't cover myself with them when in bed. When I am on horseback I can't protect myself from the winds and the rain. When I go off to empty my bowels, I catch cold because my backside is frozen."

Cloak (?; 110), n. [Of. cloque cloak (from the bell-like shape), bell, F. cloche bell; perh. of Celtik origin and the same word as E. clock. See 1st Clock.]

1.

A loose outer garment, extending from the neck downwards, and commonly without sleeves. It is longer than a cape, and is worn both by men and by women.

2.

That which conceals; a disguise or pretext; an excuse; a fair pretense; a mask; a cover.

No man is esteemed any ways considerable for policy who wears religion otherwise than as a cloak. South.

Cloak bag, a bag in which a cloak or other clothes are carried; a portmanteau.

Shak.

© Webster 1913.

Cloak, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cloaked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cloaking.]

To cover with, or as with, a cloak; hence, to hide or conceal.

Now glooming sadly, so to cloak her matter. Spenser.

Syn. -- See Palliate.

© Webster 1913.