Hypertext Webster Gateway: "masquerade"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Masquerade \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Masquerade \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Masquerade \Mas`quer*ade"\, v. t.
To conceal with masks; to disguise. ``To masquerade vice.''
--Killingbeck.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
masquerade
n 1: a party of guests wearing costumes and masks [syn: {masque},
{mask}]
2: a costume worn as a disguise at a masquerade party [syn: {fancy
dress}, {masquerade costume}]
3: making a false outward show; "a beggar's masquerade of
wealth"
v 1: take part in a masquerade
2: pretend to be someone or something that you are not; "he is
masquerading as the expert on th Internet"; "This silly
novel is masquerading as a serious historical treaty"
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