masque

or mask

[ mask, mahsk ]
/ mæsk, mɑsk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR masque ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a form of aristocratic entertainment in England in the 16th and 17th centuries, originally consisting of pantomime and dancing but later including dialogue and song, presented in elaborate productions given by amateur and professional actors.
a dramatic composition for such entertainment.
a masquerade; masked ball; revel.
mask(def 14).

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Origin of masque

From Middle French, dating back to 1505–15; see origin at mask

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH masque

mask masque mosque

Words nearby masque

masorah, masorete, masoretic, maspero, masqat, masque, masque biliaire, masquer, masquerade, mass, mass affluent
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to masque

mask, masquerade

Example sentences from the Web for masque

British Dictionary definitions for masque

masque

mask

/ (mɑːsk) /

noun

a dramatic entertainment of the 16th to 17th centuries in England, consisting of pantomime, dancing, dialogue, and song, often performed at court
the words and music written for a masque
short for masquerade

Word Origin for masque

C16: variant of mask
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012