Emily Dickinson Lexicon

vail (veil), n. [AFr < L. vēlum, sail, curtain.] (webplay: eastern, faces, hide, never, show, sight, something).

1. Ground cover; [fig.] yardage of snow; white layer of snow coverage.
2. Net; gauze; scarf; gossamer headdress; sheer silken cloth; lacy material used to protect the face; filmy piece of fabric to hide the face.
3. Curtain; partition; screen; [fig.] boundary between mortality and immortality.
4. Mantle; drapery; cloak; pall.
5. Phrase. “walk within the Vail”: enter the most holy place; go into the presence God; priesthood garments; (see Exodus 26:33-34).