disguise

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of concealing the identity of something by modifying its appearance

   I am a master of disguise.

2. 2
   noun

   an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something

   The theatrical notion of disguise is always associated with catastrophe in the great tragedies.

3. 3
   noun

   Material (such as clothing, makeup, a wig) used to alter one’s visual appearance in order to hide one's identity or assume another.

   A cape and moustache completed his disguise.

4. 4
   noun

   The act or state of disguising, notably as a ploy.

   Any disguise may expose soldiers to be deemed enemy spies.

5. 5
   verb

   To change the appearance of (a person or thing) so as to hide, or to assume an identity.

   Spies often disguise themselves.

6. 6
   verb

   To avoid giving away or revealing (something secret); to hide by a false appearance.

   He disguised his true intentions.

7. 7
   verb

   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 slip.

8. 8
   noun

   any attire that modifies the appearance in order to conceal the wearer's identity

Etymology

From Middle English disgisen, disguisen, borrowed from Old French desguiser (modern French déguiser), itself derived from des- (“dis-”) (from Latin dis-) + guise (“guise”) (from a Germanic source).