Masquerade

Masquerade

Noun / Verb · /ˌmæs.kəˈreɪd/

Definition

(Noun) a social gathering or party at which guests wear masks and costumes; a false show or pretence; an act or performance of deception; (Verb) to pretend to be someone or something one is not; to disguise or pass oneself off as.

Origin

From Spanish mascarada (masquerade, masquerade ball), from máscara (mask), from Arabic maskhara (buffoon, mockery) — the same root as mask. The masquerade ball — a formal festive occasion where participants wear masks and costumes — was a major social institution in 17th and 18th century Europe, particularly in Venice and the courts of France and England.