Definition of GUISE

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>
Synonyms act, airs, charade, disguise, facade (also façade), front, guise, playacting, pose, pretense (or pretence), put-on, semblance, show
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation <she 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>
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else <he snuck into the castle to rescue Ivanhoe in the guise of a priest coming to give Ivanhoe his last rites>
outward and often deceptive indication <hazing rituals may have the guise of harmless fun, but often the reality is serious physical abuse>

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