ppl. a. [f. VIZARD v.]
1. Disguised with a vizard; wearing a vizard; visored, masked. Used (a) predicatively or (b) attributively. Also fig.
(a) 1593. Nashe, Christ’s T., 71 b. Your mornelike christall countenances shall be netted ouer, and (Masker-like) cawle-visarded, with crawling venomous wormes.
1598. Marston, Sco. Villanie, II. vii. (1599), 207. She is so vizarded,… I cannot see her face.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., I. iii. 83. Degree being vizarded, Th’vnworthiest shewes as fairely in the Maske.
1650. R. Stapylton, Strada’s Low C. Wars, VII. 64. These two prostrated Figures … were armed with Petitions,… their faces Vizarded; their Eares and Necks hung with little dishes [etc.].
1756. Mrs. F. Brooke, Old Maid, No. 29. 243. The obsequious lover approaches in a mask: to say the truth, the lady is generally as well vizarded as he can be.
(b) a. 1637. B. Jonson, Love Restored, Wks. (Rtldg.), 588/1. Masq. Have you recovered your voice to rail at me? Plu. No, vizarded impudence.
1658. W. Sanderson, Life K. Charles, 1138. He … humbly bowed down his generous neck to God, to be cut off by the vizarded Executioner.
1691. trans. Emilianne’s Frauds Romish Monks, 400. Many Vizarded Lackeys came forth with Flambeaus to Light them in.
1715. trans. C’tess D’Anois’ Wks., 410. Four vizarded Ruffians.
2. fig. Assumed, pretended.
1663. J. H., Hist. O. Cromwell, xi. 16. Oliver…, in a passion, and transported beyond his vizarded sanctity, with an oath … dissolved them.
a. 1688. G. Stradling, Serm. & Disc. (1692), 350. Bodily worship … which usually concluded like the Turkish Lents after the vizarded austerity of a few spare hours in nightly Bacchanals.
