Main Entry:

¹mas·quer·ade

Pronunciation:

\ˌmas-kə-ˈrād\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle French, from Old Italian dialect mascarada, from Old Italian maschera mask

Date:

1587

1 a: a social gathering of persons wearing masks and often fantastic costumes b: a costume for wear at such a gathering2: an action or appearance that is mere disguise or show