Masquerade /(?)/

1. An assembly of persons wearing masks, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions.

   In courtly balls and midnight masquerades.

2. A dramatic performance by actors in masks; a mask. See 1st Mask, 4. [Obs.]
3. Acting or living under false pretenses; concealment of something by a false or unreal show; pretentious show; disguise.

   That masquerade of misrepresentation which invariably accompanied the political eloquence of Rome.

4. A Spanish diversion on horseback.

imp. & p. p. Masqueraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Masquerading

1. To assemble in masks; to take part in a masquerade.
2. To frolic or disport in disquise; to make a pretentious show of being what one is not.

   A freak took an ass in the head, and he goes into the woods, masquerading up and down in a lion's skin.

1. To conceal with masks; to disguise.