Bergomask

& s. [From Ital. Berga masco an old province in the state of Venice.] A. As adjective : Pertaining to Bergamasco. (Used of the people of that old province, who were ridiculed as being more clownish in manners and dialect than any other people in Italy. The Italian buffoons used to imitate their peculiarities.) Bergomask Dance : A rustic dance as performed by the people now described. "Will it please you to see the epilogue, or hear a bergamask dance , between two of our company?"Shakesp.: Mids. Night's Dream, v. 1. B. As substantive : The dance now described. "But, come, your Bergomask : let your epilogue alone." Shakesp.: Mids . Night's Dream , v. i. ( Nares .)