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Disguise Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŽญ
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disguise

[dษชsหˆษกaษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in disguise

A means of altering one's appearance or concealing one's identity, typically to deceive others.

Synonyms

camouflage, costume, mask.

Examples of usage

  • He arrived at the party in disguise, wearing a fake mustache and glasses.
  • The spy managed to escape by hiding in plain sight, using a clever disguise.
  • She recognized her friend in disguise and played along with the charade.
Context #2 | Verb

disguise oneself

To change or conceal one's appearance in order to hide one's true identity or intentions.

Synonyms

camouflage, conceal, mask.

Examples of usage

  • He disguised himself as a waiter to get closer to the target.
  • The criminal disguised herself by dyeing her hair and wearing a wig.
  • In order to gather information, the journalist had to disguise herself as a tourist.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • Disguises are a popular theme in movies and books, seen in stories ranging from superheroes (like Batman) to spies (like James Bond).
  • Many Halloween costumes are simply disguises, letting people be whoever they want for the night.
  • The classic story of 'Cinderella' features a disguise where a fairy godmother transforms Cinderella for the ball.

Psychology

  • Disguising oneself can reflect deeper psychological needs, like the desire to escape reality or express hidden parts of ourselves.
  • People often use disguises in social situations to either fit in or stand out, depending on their confidence levels.
  • The act of wearing a disguise can boost oneโ€™s self-esteem by allowing them to take on another identity.

History

  • Throughout history, disguises have been used for espionage; spies have often changed their appearance to gather information.
  • In ancient Rome, performers wore masks to symbolize different characters, which can be seen as an early form of disguise.
  • Revolutions and uprisings have seen leaders don disguises to lead their followers visually while keeping their identities safe.

Literature

  • Many classic stories, such as Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night', involve characters disguising themselves to explore themes of love and identity.
  • Disguises in literature often create comic situations, like in 'The Taming of the Shrew' where characters pretend to be others.
  • In fairy tales, disguises often play a role in moral lessons, teaching the importance of looking beyond appearances.

Origin of 'disguise'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'desguiser', which means 'to change (one's) mask'.
  • It combines 'dis-' (indicating removal) and 'guise' (appearance), reflecting the idea of hiding oneโ€™s true self.
  • In English, it was first used in the 14th century to describe changing oneโ€™s appearance.

The word 'disguise' originated from the Old French word 'desguisier' meaning 'to change one's appearance'. It has been used in English since the 14th century. Disguises have been used throughout history for various purposes, including espionage, entertainment, and social interactions.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,115 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.