verhüllen

Verhüllen is a German verb meaning to veil, cover, or obscure something by placing a layer over it or by hiding it from view. The word derives from Hülle (cover) with the prefix ver-, which often marks a change of state or a thorough action. The noun Verhüllung denotes the act of veiling or the object used to veil; the adjective verhüllt describes something that is veiled or concealed.

In everyday language verhüllen can refer to physical concealment, such as clothing that covers parts of the body or a veil used in ceremonial contexts. In cultural and religious settings, verhüllen is often linked to modesty, rites, or protection from the elements. The term is also used more abstractly to describe privacy protection or the masking of information, for example when data or identities are verhüllt or anonymized.

Metaphorically, verhüllen appears in discussions of communication, art, and politics to describe concealing or obscuring meaning, truth, or intent. A statement can verhüllen aspects of reality, and authorities or institutions may use verhüllung to control what is visible to the public.

Related terms include bedecken, verdecken, and verstecken, which are often used in similar contexts but carry subtle differences in nuance. Verhüllung, as a noun, denotes either the act of veiling or the object used for veiling. The word thus covers both tangible concealment and more figurative masking in discourse and culture.