disguise
[dis-gahyz, dih-skahyz]
- to change the appearance or guise of so as to conceal identity or mislead, as by means of deceptive garb: The king was disguised as a peasant.
- to conceal or cover up the truth or actual character of by a counterfeit form or appearance; misrepresent: to disguise one's intentions.
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- that which disguises; something that serves or is intended for concealment of identity, character, or quality; a deceptive covering, condition, manner, etc.: Noble words can be the disguise of base intentions.
- the makeup, mask, costume, or overall changed appearance of an entertainer: a clown's disguise.
- the act of disguising: to speak without disguise.
- the state of being disguised; masquerade: The gods appeared in disguise.
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Origin of disguise
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
guiseveilcloakcamouflagetrickeryconcealbeliedeceivehideobscurealterblindcolorpretensioncostumefacadedresscounterfeitcoloringpseudonymExamples from the Web for disguise
Contemporary Examples
And Pope Alexander VI had the painter Pinturicchio disguise his mistress as the Virgin Mary in one fresco.
Tumid and unstoppable, there is little that new wallpaper or re-poured driveways can do to disguise it.
Maybe, then, the Hathahate phenomenon is a blessing in disguise.
Roberts and the Republicans are trying to portray the independent as a Barack Obama supporter who is just a Democrat in disguise.
Rivers, it had emerged, had told them she was Ruth Madoff in disguise, and not to speak to her or approach her when she walked in.
Historical Examples
What seems an evil is meant for a good purpose, and is a blessing in disguise.
An Explanation of Luther's Small CatechismJoseph Stump
Now Mike had determined to keep from the girl the fact that he had penetrated her disguise.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
The eyes of this Favart once on me, every disguise and every double will not long avail.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
Morse was disappointed at this refusal, but it proved a blessing in disguise.
Heroes of the TelegraphJ. Munro
It is useless to attempt to disguise the fear that had fallen upon him.
The ChanningsMrs. Henry Wood
disguise
- to modify the appearance or manner in order to conceal the identity of (oneself, someone, or something)
- (tr) to misrepresent in order to obscure the actual nature or meaningto disguise the facts
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- a mask, costume, or manner that disguises
- the act of disguising or the state of being disguised
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French desguisier, from des- dis- 1 + guise manner; see guise
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
Word Origin and History for disguise
v.
c.1300, from Old French desguiser (11c.) "disguise, change one's appearance," from des- "away, off" (see dis-) + guise "style, appearance" (see guise). Originally primarily "to put out of one's usual manner" (of dress, etc.). Oldest sense preserved in phrase disguised with liquor (1560s).
It is most absurdly said, in popular language, of any man, that he is disguised in liquor; for, on the contrary, most men are disguised by sobriety. [Thomas de Quincy, "Confessions of an English Opium-Eater," 1856]
Related: Disguised; disguising.
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n.
c.1400, "strange style of dress" (especially one meant to deceive), from disguise (v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with disguise
disguise
see blessing in disguise.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.