/ ˌmæskəˈreɪd; NAmE ; BrE also ˌmɑːsk-/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
( formal ) a way of behaving that hides the truth or a person's true feelings
2.
( especially NAmE ) a type of party where people wear special costumes and masks over their faces, to hide their identities
■ verb
[ v ] masquerade as sth to pretend to be sth that you are not :
commercial advertisers masquerading as private individuals
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from French mascarade , from Italian mascherata , from maschera mask.