masque
or mask
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.
Origin of masque
1Words that may be confused with masque
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use masque in a sentence
That year the opera ball was more brilliant and the masques finer than ever.
The Story Of The Duchess Of Cicogne And Of Monsieur De Boulingrin | Anatole FranceHe thought masques should be kept distinct from comedies, and he had no liking for fantastic medleys.
How Shakspere Came to Write the Tempest | Rudyard KiplingThis first "Livre des Masques" is of historical interest, as a list of men interesting at their time.
Instigations | Ezra PoundThis was the first of a series of comedies, tragedies, and masques, which rank highly.
The court pageants may be understood by reading the masques of Ben Jonson.
London | Walter Besant
British Dictionary definitions for masque
mask
/ (mɑːsk) /
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
Origin of masque
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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