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Dictionary Language resources

masque

Syllabification: (masque)

Pronunciation: /mask/

Definition of masque

noun

1a 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.

2variant spelling of mask (sense 1 of the noun).

Derivatives

masquer

Origin:

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