I. də-ˈskīz, dis-ˈgīz also diz- transitive verb
( dis·guised ; dis·guis·ing )
Etymology: Middle English disgisen, from Anglo-French desguiser, deguiser, from des- dis- + guise guise
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : to change the customary dress or appearance of
b. : to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed identity
2. obsolete : disfigure
3. : to obscure the existence or true state or character of : conceal
unable to disguise his true feelings
• dis·guised·ly -ˈgīz(-ə)d-lē, -ˈkīz(-ə)d- adverb
• dis·guise·ment -ˈgīz-mənt, -ˈkīz- noun
• dis·guis·er noun
Synonyms:
disguise , cloak , mask mean to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature. disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity
disguised herself as a peasant
cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention
cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy
mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something
smiling to mask his discontent
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : apparel assumed to conceal one's identity or counterfeit another's
2. : the act of disguising
3.
a. : form misrepresenting the true nature of something
blessings in disguise
b. : an artificial manner : pretense
threw off all disguise