Strictly, the expression face mask is tautological and means "mask", because masks by definition go on the face; but it is sometimes used to mean:
- Respirator
- Among divers, diving mask
- Face mask (gridiron football), the metal grid face protecter on his helmet, and the penalizable foul of grasping it during play
Famous quotes containing the words face and/or mask:
“I don’t know how long it has been since my ear has been free from the roll of a drum. It is the music I sleep by, and I love it.... I shall remain here while anyone remains, and do whatever comes to my hand. I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.”
—Clara Barton (1821–1912)
“Most of our occupations are low comedy.... We must play our part duly, but as the part of a borrowed character. Of the mask and appearance we must not make a real essence, nor of what is foreign what is our very own.”
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592)