Definition of the word cloak

The word "cloak" has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled "clōc" or "klōc". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*klūkaz", which is also the source of the Modern German word "Rocke". The Proto-Germanic word is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*leuk-", which meant "to weave" or "to cover". In Old English, the word "clōc" referred to a garment that covered the body, often worn as a cloak or mantle. Over time, the spelling evolved to "cōc", "cōke", and eventually "cloak". Through Middle English, the word acquired its modern meaning, referring to a garment worn to conceal one's identity or as a fashion accessory. Today, the word "cloak" can also refer to a figurative veil or cover, as in "cloak of secrecy" or "cloak of shame".