life mask: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialized, formal
Quick answer
What does “life mask” mean?
A plaster cast taken from the face of a living person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plaster cast taken from the face of a living person.
A three-dimensional impression or sculpture of a person's face created from a mold made during their lifetime, often for artistic, historical, or anthropological purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or meaning. The term is equally specialised in both dialects.
Connotations
Artistic, historical, biographical, sometimes slightly morbid.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively in art, history, and museum contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “life mask” in a Sentence
The sculptor made a life mask of the poet.They took a life mask of the elderly statesman.A life mask from 1815 survives in the museum.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “life mask” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The studio offered to life-mask clients for a portrait commission. (rare)
American English
- The artist wanted to life-mask the visiting dignitary. (rare)
adjective
British English
- The life-mask process can be uncomfortable. (hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- They studied life-mask techniques from the 19th century. (hyphenated attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in auction descriptions of historical artefacts.
Academic
Used in art history, sculpture, and biographical studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific term in sculpture, museology, and conservation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “life mask”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “life mask”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “life mask”
- Using it to mean a mask worn to protect life (e.g., a respirator).
- Confusing it with 'death mask'.
- Spelling as one word: 'lifemask'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A life mask is made from a living subject; a death mask is made from a deceased subject. The facial muscles and expression differ.
The process requires care. Subjects breathe through straws in their nostrils while the plaster sets, so it must be done correctly to avoid panic or harm.
Historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, William Blake, and Benjamin Franklin had life masks made.
Yes, artists often use life masks as accurate armatures or references for creating busts, statues, or other portraits.
A plaster cast taken from the face of a living person.
Life mask is usually specialized, formal in register.
Life mask: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf ˌmɑːsk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf ˌmæsk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'mask' that captures 'life'—a cast made while the subject is alive.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FACE IS A DOCUMENT; PRESERVATION IS CASTING.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a life mask?