[cha.rade] n [F, fr. Prov charrado chat, fr. charra to chat, chatter] (1776) 1: a word represented in riddling verse or by picture, tableau, or dramatic action
2. pl: a game in which some of the players try to guess a word or phrase from the actions of another player who may not speak
3: an empty or deceptive act or pretense "his concern was a ~"