Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: French
Origin: Old Italian mascarada, from maschera; MASK1

masquerade

1 noun
     
Related topics: Clothes, Leisure
mas‧que‧rade1
1 [countable]DLDCC a formal dance or party where people wear masks and unusual clothes
2 [uncountable and countable] a way of behaving or speaking that hides your true thoughts or feelings [= pretence]:
She didn't really love him, but she kept up the masquerade for the children's sake.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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