masque

noun

1. (historical)A dramatic performance, often performed at court as a royal entertainment, consisting of dancing, dialogue, pantomime and song.

   “"I think," said Anne to Madame de Mercœur, "we must obtain your protégée's services for our intended masque; however, I shall leave that to you young people to settle," turning to Louis as she spoke.”

2. Words and music written for a masque.

   “Over six sections – a prologue, a life-story, a dream-quest, a dirge, a masque and an epilogue – they meditate on their lives, their hopes, their losses, and on the human condition.”

3. A masquerade.

   “The game of pretence is enhanced by dressing-up, and it is natural for a child to copy some grown-up hero. The game was also played by all those people who have attended masques and fancy-dress parties and by Marie-Antoinette when she played at being a milkmaid, it is only the fashion which had altered.”

4. (alt-of, obsolete)Obsolete spelling of mask.
5. A facial mask.

   “mud masque; clay masque”

verb

1. (alt-of, archaic)Archaic spelling of mask.

   “It is even masqued by that sort of good-humoured air that at heart he resents his impressment.”