Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
disguise - 6 dictionary results

dis⋅guise

  [dis-gahyz, di-skahyz] verb, -guised, -guis⋅ing, noun
Use disguise in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. 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.
2. to conceal or cover up the truth or actual character of by a counterfeit form or appearance; misrepresent: to disguise one's intentions.
–noun
3. 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.
4. the makeup, mask, costume, or overall changed appearance of an entertainer: a clown's disguise.
5. the act of disguising: to speak without disguise.
6. the state of being disguised; masquerade: The gods appeared in disguise.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME disg(u)isen < AF, OF de(s)guiser, equiv. to des- dis- 1 + -guiser, deriv. of guise guise

Related forms:
dis⋅guis⋅a⋅ble, adjective
dis⋅guis⋅ed⋅ly, adverb
dis⋅guis⋅ed⋅ness, noun
dis⋅guis⋅er, noun
dis⋅guise⋅ment, noun

Synonyms:
2. cloak, mask, hide, dissemble.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To disguise
dis·guise   (dĭs-gīz')   
tr.v.   dis·guised, dis·guis·ing, dis·guis·es
    1. To modify the manner or appearance of in order to prevent recognition.
    2. To furnish with a disguise.
  2. To conceal or obscure by dissemblance or false show; misrepresent: disguise one's true intentions.
n.  
    1. The act or an instance of disguising.
    2. The condition of being disguised.
    3. Appearance that misrepresents the true character of something: a blessing in disguise.
    4. A pretense or misrepresentation: His repeated references to his dangerous hobbies were only a disguise to cover up his insecurity.
  2. Clothes or accessories worn to conceal one's true identity.
    1. Appearance that misrepresents the true character of something: a blessing in disguise.
    2. A pretense or misrepresentation: His repeated references to his dangerous hobbies were only a disguise to cover up his insecurity.

[Middle English disguisen, from Old French desguiser : des-, dis- + guise, manner; see guise.]
dis·guis'ed·ly (-gī'zĭd-lē) adv., dis·guise'ment n., dis·guis'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to change or modify so as to conceal the true identity or character of: disguised her interest with nonchalance; trying to camouflage their impatience; cloaked his anxiety with a smile; dissembling ill will with false solicitude; couldn't dissimulate his vanity; ambition that is masked as altruism.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Disguise

Dis*guise"\ (?; 232), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disguised; p. pr. & vb. n. Disguising.] [OE. desguisen, disgisen, degisen, OF. desguisier, F. d['e]guiser; pref. des- (L. dis-) + guise. See Guise.]

1. To change the guise or appearance of; especially, to conceal by an unusual dress, or one intended to mislead or deceive.

Bunyan was forced to disguise himself as a wagoner. --Macaulay.

2. To hide by a counterfeit appearance; to cloak by a false show; to mask; as, to disguise anger; to disguise one's sentiments, character, or intentions.

All God's angels come to us disguised. --Lowell.

3. To affect or change by liquor; to intoxicate.

I have just left the right worshipful, and his myrmidons, about a sneaker or five gallons; the whole magistracy was pretty well disguised before I gave them the ship. --Spectator.

Syn: To conceal; hide; mask; dissemble; dissimulate; feign; pretend; secrete. See Conceal.

Disguise

Dis*guise"\, n. 1. A dress or exterior put on for purposes of concealment or of deception; as, persons doing unlawful acts in disguise are subject to heavy penalties.

There is no passion steals into the heart more imperceptibly and covers itself under more disguises, than pride. --Addison.

2. Artificial language or manner assumed for deception; false appearance; counterfeit semblance or show.

That eye which glances through all disguises. --D. Webster.

3. Change of manner by drink; intoxication. --Shak.

4. A masque or masquerade. [Obs.]

Disguise was the old English word for a masque. --B. Jonson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : disguise
Spanish: disfrazar(se),
German: verkleiden, verstellen,
Japanese: 変装させる
More Translations »

disguise 
c.1325, from O.Fr. desguisier, from des- "away, off" + guise "style, appearance." Originally primarily "to put out of one's usual manner" (of dress, etc.); noun meaning "a garb assumed in order to deceive" is first recorded 14c. Original sense preserved in phrase disguised with liquor (1562).
"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]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source

disguise

see blessing in disguise.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see disguise on Thesaurus | Reference