— masquerader , n.
/mas'keuh rayd"/ , n. , v. , masqueraded, masquerading .
n.
1. a party, dance, or other festive gathering of persons wearing masks and other disguises, and often elegant, historical, or fantastic costumes.
2. a costume or disguise worn at such a gathering.
3. false outward show; façade; pretense: a hypocrite's masquerade of virtue.
4. activity, existence, etc., under false pretenses: a rich man's masquerade as a beggar.
v.i.
5. to go about under false pretenses or a false character; assume the character of; give oneself out to be: to masquerade as a former Russian count.
6. to disguise oneself.
7. to take part in a masquerade.
[ 1580-90; earlier masquerada, mascarado, pseudo-Sp forms of MF mascarade mascherada; see MASK, -ADE 1 ]
Syn. 1. mummery.