masquerade
noun /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/, /ˌmɑːskəˈreɪd/
/ˌmæskəˈreɪd/
- (formal) a way of behaving that hides the truth or a person’s true feelings
- He was tired of the masquerade and wanted the truth to come out.
- (especially North American English) a type of party where people wear special costumes and masks over their faces, to hide their identities
Word Originlate 16th cent.: from French mascarade, from Italian mascherata, from maschera ‘mask’.