1597, from Fr. mascarade or Sp. mascarada "masked party or dance," from It. mascarata "a ball at which masks are worn," var. of mascherata "masquerade," from maschera (see mask). Fig. sense of "false outward show" is from 1674. The verb is attested from 1692.
a costume worn as a disguise at a masquerade party [syn: fancy dress]
3.
making a false outward show; "a beggar's masquerade of wealth"
verb
1.
take part in a masquerade
2.
pretend to be someone or something that you are not; "he is masquerading as an expert on the internet"; "This silly novel is masquerading as a serious historical treaty"
Mask\, n. [F. masque, LL. masca, mascha, mascus; cf. Sp. & Pg. m['a]scara, It. maschera; all fr. Ar. maskharat buffoon, fool, pleasantry, anything ridiculous or mirthful, fr. sakhira to ridicule, to laugh at. Cf. Masque, Masquerade.]1. A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection; as, a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a ball player's mask. 2. That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge. 3. A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions, where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a frolic; a delusive show. --Bacon. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask. --Milton. 4. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical characters. 5. (Arch.) A grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains, and the like; -- called also mascaron. 6. (Fort.) (a) In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects the caponiere. (b) A screen for a battery. 7. (Zo["o]l.) The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly, modified so as to form a prehensile organ. Mask house, a house for masquerades. [Obs.]
Mas`quer*ade"\, n. [F. mascarade, fr. Sp. mascarada, or It. mascherata. See Mask.]1. An assembly of persons wearing masks, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions. In courtly balls and midnight masquerades. --Pope. 2. A dramatic performance by actors in masks; a mask. See 1st Mask, 4. [Obs.] 3. Acting or living under false pretenses; concealment of something by a false or unreal show; pretentious show; disguise. That masquerade of misrepresentation which invariably accompanied the political eloquence of Rome. --De Quincey. 4. A Spanish diversion on horseback.
Mas`quer*ade"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Masqueraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Masquerading.]1. To assemble in masks; to take part in a masquerade. 2. To frolic or disport in disquise; to make a pretentious show of being what one is not. A freak took an ass in the head, and he goes into the woods, masquerading up and down in a lion's skin. --L'Estrange.
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Audio Help [mas-kuh-reyd] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -ad·ed, -ad·ing. 
