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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Masquerade \Mas`quer*ade"\, v. t. To conceal with masks; to disguise. ``To masquerade vice.'' --Killingbeck.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)