masque

 
Pronunciation: /mɑːsk/

noun

  • a form of amateur dramatic entertainment, popular among the nobility in 16th- and 17th-century England, which consisted of dancing and acting performed by masked players.

Origin:

early 16th century (in the sense 'masquerade or masked ball'): probably a back-formation (influenced by French masque 'mask') from masker, from Italian mascar 'person wearing a mask'