Word Direct Answers

What does "disguise" mean?

Disguise: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.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. See Conceal.
  2. 3.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.
  3. 4.Artificial language or manner assumed for deception; false appearance; counterfeit semblance or show. That eye which glances through all disguises. D. Webster.
  4. 5.Change of manner by drink; intoxication. Shak.
  5. 6.A masque or masquerade. [Obs.] Disguise was the old English word for a masque. B. Jonson.

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