guise
/ɡʌɪz
/noun
An external form, appearance, or manner of presentation, typically concealing the true nature of something: he visited in the guise of an inspector sums paid under the guise of consultancy fees...
- The pattern of ceremonial appearance in the guise of a god is not restricted to females.
- Martin, we have grown accustomed to seeing your pantomime stooge adopting all manner of superhero guises.
- Each assumes several guises as they portray several characters in order to tell the tale of one central character.
Synonyms
likeness, external appearance, appearance, semblance, form, outward form, shape, image, aspect;
disguise, false colours;
costume, clothes, outfit, dress
pretence, false show, false front, false display, show, front, facade, illusion, cover, blind, screen, smokescreen, masquerade, posture, pose, act, charade
informal put-on, put-up job
Origin
Middle English: from Old French, of Germanic origin; related to wise2.
disguise from Middle English:
Guise came into English via French from a Germanic root with the sense ‘characteristic, manner, custom’. An early meaning of disguise was ‘change one's usual style of dress’, with no implication of concealing one's identity, but it soon developed a sense of concealment.