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Definition of masquerade


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mas·quer·ade  audio  (msk-rd) KEY  

NOUN:
    1. A costume party at which masks are worn; a masked ball. Also called masque .
    2. A costume for such a party or ball.
    1. A disguise or false outward show; a pretense: a masquerade of humility.
    2. An involved scheme; a charade.
intr.v.
mas·quer·ad·ed , mas·quer·ad·ing , mas·quer·ades
  1. To wear a mask or disguise, as at a masquerade: She masqueraded as a shepherd.
  2. To go about as if in disguise; have or put on a deceptive appearance: The stowaway masqueraded as a crew member.

ETYMOLOGY:
French mascarade, from Italian mascarata, variant of mascherata, from Old Italian maschera, mask ; see mask

OTHER FORMS:
masquer·ader (Noun)


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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