Velare

Velare is a Latin verb meaning to veil, to cover, to wrap, or to obscure. It belongs to the first conjugation and is used in contexts where a physical or metaphorical covering is described, such as veiling garments, masks, or head coverings, as well as in figurative language indicating concealment or secrecy.

Etymology and related terms are linked to velum, the Latin noun for veil or covering, and to other forms that denote coverings or furnishings. The verb appears in a variety of Latin authors to describe the act of placing a veil over something, whether a person, an object, or a symbolic aspect such as truth or sanctity. Related nouns include velamen and velum, which designate a veil, covering, or shroud, and illuminate how the verb conceptually connects to the idea of concealment or protection.

Usage and context in classical Latin literature often involve ceremonial or domestic settings, such as veiling for religious rites, modesty, or ritual decorum. The term can also appear in metaphorical expressions, describing the erasure or obscuring of appearance, evidence, or meaning. In linguistic study, velare is cited as an example of a regular first-conjugation verb, illustrating standard inflection patterns and its interaction with related nouns in semantic fields dealing with coverings and veils.

See also: velum, velamen, velamentum. Velare is primarily of historical linguistic interest, encountered in Latin dictionaries, grammars, and scholarly discussions about ancient veiling practices and related terminology.