guise

¹

[gahyz]

noun

1. general external appearance; aspect; semblance.

   an old principle in a new guise.

   Synonyms: shape, form

2. assumed appearance or mere semblance.

   under the guise of friendship.

3. style of dress.

   in the guise of a shepherd.

4. Archaic.,  manner; mode.

verb (used with object)

guised, guising 

1. to dress; attire.

   children guised as cowboys.

verb (used without object)

guised, guising 

1. Scot. and North England.,  to appear or go in disguise.

Guise

²

[geez]

noun

1. François de Lorraine 2nd Duc de, 1519–63, French general and statesman.

2. his son Henri I de Lorraine Duc de, 1550–88, French general and leader of opposition to the Huguenots.

guise

/ ɡaɪz /

noun

1. semblance or pretence

   under the guise of friendship

2. external appearance in general

3. archaic,  manner or style of dress

4. obsolete,  customary behaviour or manner

verb

1. dialect,  to disguise or be disguised in fancy dress

2. archaic,  (tr) to dress or dress up

Word History and Origins

Origin of guise¹

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English g ( u ) ise < Old French < Germanic; wise ²: (v.) Middle English gisen, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of guise¹

C13: from Old French guise, of Germanic origin; see _wise ²

Synonym Study

See appearance.

Example Sentences

Russ finds a second wind when he tries out for a college football team as a walk-on quarterback, wearing heavy prosthetics and acting under the guise of a fabricated identity: Chad Powers.

From Los Angeles Times

But if anything, the guise of protecting user data was used as an excuse to pave the way for American businessmen to now own and use our data more dangerously.

From Salon

But while doing their usual bit of shaping opinions under the guise of “optics,” most are avoiding a painful truth: Harris is right.

From Salon

During that period Finegan, who taught and worked at the college, molested him under the guise of providing pastoral care, it was claimed.

From BBC

Even the world’s most popular podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” is centered in large part on people who don’t know what they’re talking about arguing with each other under the guise of debate.

From Salon

Related Words

• disguise