Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- transitive verb To modify the manner or appearance of (a person, for example) in order to prevent recognition.
- transitive verb To make indistinct or difficult to perceive.
- transitive verb To conceal or obscure by dissemblance or false show; misrepresent.
- noun Clothes or accessories worn to conceal one's true identity.
- noun Appearance that misrepresents the true character of something.
- noun A pretense or misrepresentation.
from The Century Dictionary.
- To conceal the personal identity of, by changes of guise or usual appearance, such as those produced by differences in dress or in the hair or beard, the use of a mask, etc.
- To conceal or cover up the real or original character of by a counterfeit form or appearance; cloak by false show, deceptive statement or speech, or an artificial manner: as, to
disguise the handwriting; to disguise the taste of a drug; to disguise sentiments or intentions. - To alter the appearance of; make difficult of recognition by some change not intended for concealment.
- To change in voice or behavior by the use of strong drink; intoxicate.
- To distinguish by a difference of form or guise.
- Synonyms Simulate, etc. (see
dissemble ), mask, veil. - noun That which disguises; something that serves or is intended for concealment of identity, character, or quality; a deceptive covering, condition, manner, etc.
- noun The act of disguising, or the state of being disguised; a false or misleading appearance; concealment under a disguised form, manner, etc.: as, his attempted disguise was unsuccessful; a thief in disguise.
- noun Change of behavior and utterance by drink; intoxication.
- noun A masque; an interlude.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb To change the guise or appearance of; especially, to conceal by an unusual dress, or one intended to mislead or deceive.
- transitive verb To hide by a counterfeit appearance; to cloak by a false show; to mask
- transitive verb To affect or change by liquor; to intoxicate.
- noun A dress or exterior put on for purposes of concealment or of deception.
- noun Artificial language or manner assumed for deception; false appearance; counterfeit semblance or show.
- noun Change of manner by drink; intoxication.
- noun obsolete A masque or masquerade.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun An
attire (e.g.clothing ) used tohide one'sidentity orassume another. - noun figuratively The
appearance of something on the outside which masks what's beneath. - noun The act of disguising, notably as a ploy
- verb transitive To
change theappearance of (a person or thing) so as to hide, or to assume an identity. - verb transitive To
prevent giving away orrevealing (something secret).
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the act of concealing the identity of something by modifying its appearance
- noun any attire that modifies the appearance in order to conceal the wearer's identity
- verb make unrecognizable
- noun an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word disguise.
Examples
-
That animals are only human beings in disguise is an axiom in the fairy tales.
-
Mousa fled in disguise from the palace of Boursa; traversed the Propontis in an open boat; wandered over the Walachian and Servian hills; and after some vain attempts, ascended the throne of Adrianople, so recently stained with the blood of Soliman.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire 1206
-
Jerusalem, as search is made for a malefactor in disguise, that is harboured by his accomplices.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume IV (Isaiah to Malachi) 1721
-
Splithog Pauper, in disguise (CR classified, SitS p. 66) 1 goblin snake (CR1, Pathfinder #1) 1d4 Small monstrous centipedes (CR 1, MM p. 276)
Life in the Wide World – Random Encounters « Geek Related 2009
-
This is why, when the fantasy turns out to be science fiction in disguise, I tend to like that a lot more.
-
Is the despair of victims and misfits more abject because they can't foresee a reversal of fortune, or because they feel bereft of allies, or because they can't conceive of themselves as heroes in disguise?
Elizabeth Cunningham: Fairy Tales: An Antidote to Bullying? Elizabeth Cunningham 2010
-
Is the despair of victims and misfits more abject because they can't foresee a reversal of fortune, or because they feel bereft of allies, or because they can't conceive of themselves as heroes in disguise?
Elizabeth Cunningham: Fairy Tales: An Antidote to Bullying? Elizabeth Cunningham 2010
-
Another devious method of disguise is the principle of neglect: whereas some are painted a bright colour, many others are simply left au naturel, ensuring that they blend in well with the pavement to deceive even the most alert motorist.
-
This became a blessing in disguise as we found ourselves at Mirai Sushi, which was one of my best sushi experiences
-
The fantastic elements, gods and monsters, curses and destinies and princes in disguise, the fall of mighty cities in the ruin of war, and all which form the backbone of modern fantasy, are present in their original forms here.
sonofgroucho commented on the word disguise
See also "guiser".
November 5, 2007
dailyword commented on the word disguise
Holmes did this a lot when he was working on cases, and so did Artie.
September 12, 2012