masquerade: Meaning and Definition of

mas•quer•ade

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.

1. 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.
2. to disguise oneself.
3. to take part in a masquerade.