Of immaterial things. With of and noun or noun phrase, esp. referring to a quality or emotion, as veil of secrecy, veil of ignorance, veil of anon…

Something that covers or conceals in the manner of a pall or cloak. Now: spec. a dark cloud or covering of smoke, dust, etc.; (figurative)…

A long robe. In poetic or rhetorical use. Often figurative.

figurative and in figurative context. A covering of something (material or immaterial), hiding something else from view.

figurative. Used esp. (see sense 2a) to denote something unsubstantial or worthless.

transferred or figurative.

figurative. A superficial overlay of a quality. Also (in earlier use): †a means of concealment (obsolete).