Entry Word: guise

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive <my new neighbor began seeking my company under the guise of friendship, but he turned out to be a member of a religious cult bent on conversion> — see masquerade
2 clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation <felt as though she should be wearing some sort of Germanic guise, complete with dirndl, for the fall festival featuring traditional German food and drink> — see outfit 1
3 clothing put on to hide oneʼs true identity or imitate someone or something else <snuck into the castle to rescue Ivanhoe in the guise of a priest coming to give Ivanhoe his last rites> — see disguise
4 outward and often deceptive indication <hazing rituals may have the guise of harmless fun, but often the reality is serious physical abuse> — see appearance 2