- masquerade (n.)
- 1590s, from Fr. mascarade or Sp. mascarada "masked party or dance," from It. mascarata "a ball at which masks are worn," var. of mascherata "masquerade," from maschera (see mask). Figurative sense of "false outward show" is from 1670s. The verb is attested from 1690s. Related: Masquerading.