From peri (around) and haireō (to take). To take away from around, to remove, to strip off. Used of removing a veil, cutting anchors, and God removing the veil of spiritual blindness.
Paul declares that when one turns to the Lord, the veil is 'taken away' (2 Corinthians 3:16). This removal of spiritual blindness is entirely God's work — humanity cannot lift its own veil. In Acts 27:40, sailors 'cut away' the anchors during the shipwreck. Sometimes God removes what we clung to for safety so we can be driven to shore by His wind.