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.
Mas`quer*ade", v. t. To conceal
with masks; to disguise. "To masquerade vice."
Killingbeck.
