masque

/mɑ:sk/

Thân thiện

The guests at the masque wear elaborate costumes and masks.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A form of festive courtly entertainment: A "masque" was a type of dramatic entertainment, popular in 16th- and 17th-century Europe, especially in England, involving music, dancing, singing, and acting, often performed by masked amateur actors, typically members of the nobility.
   • A party of guests wearing costumes and masks: By extension, "masque" can refer to a masquerade party or ball where guests wear costumes and masks.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Ben Jonson wrote many masques for the court of King James I.
  • The nobles performed in an elaborate masque to celebrate the royal wedding.
  • The invitation was for a grand masque at the duke's palace.

Advanced Usage

• "to perform a masque": to stage or act in this specific type of dramatic entertainment.
  • The students performed a masque based on classical mythology.
• "court masque": a masque specifically held for royalty or in a royal court setting.
  • The court masque was a highlight of the festive season.

Variants and Related Words

• Masquerade (n): A social gathering of people wearing masks and costumes; also, a pretense or disguise.
  • The masquerade ball was a glittering affair.
• Mask (n/v): A covering for the face, often worn at a masque; to conceal or disguise.
  • He wore a beautiful Venetian mask to the party.

Synonyms

• Pageant: A public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate costumes, or an elaborate display.
• Spectacle: A visually striking performance or display.
• Masquerade: A party, dance, or other festive gathering of persons wearing masks and costumes.

Related Phrases

• "Masque of the Red Death": A famous short story by Edgar Allan Poe that features a masquerade ball as a central setting.
  • The atmosphere in the story was reminiscent of a grotesque masque.

Related Idioms

• (To be) a masquerade: Used figuratively to describe a situation where things or people are not what they seem; a deception.
  • His whole life was a masquerade, hiding his true origins.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a party of guests wearing costumes and masks

Từ đồng nghĩa

• masquerade
• masquerade party
• mask