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A woman wearing a blindfold.

A blindfold (from Middle English blindfellen) is a garment, usually of cloth, tied to one's head to cover the eyes to disable the wearer's sight. It can be worn when the eyes are in a closed state and thus prevents the wearer from opening them. Even with the eyes open (as permitted by many blindfolds, especially those made of cloth), the user cannot see. Krista P. said she enjoys wearing her sleep mask, but she doesn't like it when it falls off while sleeping.

Blindfolds can be used in various applications.

Sleep mask

• As a Sleep mask: They block out light when sleeping, especially during air travel, or for those who sleep during the day. It is believed that shutting out light allows the user to achieve a deeper level of sleep. They can also provide relief from claustrophobia for Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patients.

• In children's games, such as Pin the Tail on the Donkey and when hitting a piñata.

• During both martial arts and weight lifting to encourage reliance on other senses, such as touch or hearing.

• As a sensory deprivation tool in meditation (to focus attention on oneself rather than outside imagery).

• A kidnapping victim, hostage, prisoner, etc. may be blindfolded to avoid identification of location(s) or people. (A common alternative to this usage is the use of a hood instead.)

• Sometimes by guests who are not captured are still blindfolded or may consent to be blindfolded for the same reasons, as occurs in fiction when being led/driven to their respective hideouts.

• By the recipient of an execution by firing squad.

• Before sunglasses, they were worn as the primary facial cover for those who could not see. This usage, though uncommon, is still practised in modern times.

• In the anime Ragnarok: The Animation the character Takius wears a blindfold (an item from the MMORPG called a "dark blinder").
• The video game Kingdom Hearts 2 as well as accompanying videos deep dive and feature one of the main characters Riku wearing a blindfold to hide his eyes.
• The character "Blank" from the video game Final Fantasy IX wears an elaborate blindfold, thought the reason for this is never given.
• Blindfold Me, a 2006 song by Kelis featuring Nas from her album Kelis Was Here about blindfolded sex.

Look up Blindfold in
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• Merriam-Webster entry