11 results for: Dissemble

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·sem·ble

Audio Help [di-sem-buh

l] Pronunciation Key verb, -bled, -bling.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of: to dissemble one's incompetence in business.

2.	to put on the appearance of; feign: to dissemble innocence.

3.	Obsolete. to let pass unnoticed; ignore.

–verb (used without object)

4.	to conceal one's true motives, thoughts, etc., by some pretense; speak or act hypocritically.

[Origin: 1490–1500; alter. (by assoc. with obs. semble to resemble) of ME dissimulen < L dissimulāre. See dis-¹, simulate

]

—Related forms

dis·sem·bler, noun

dis·sem·bling·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 1. mask, hide, camouflage, dissimulate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Dissemble

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·sem·ble Audio Help   (dĭ-sěm'bəl) Pronunciation Key
v.   dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling, dis·sem·bles

v.   tr.

To disguise or conceal behind a false appearance. See Synonyms at disguise.
To make a false show of; feign.

v. intr.
To disguise or conceal one's real nature, motives, or feelings behind a false appearance.

[Middle English dissemblen, from Old French dessembler, to be different : des-, dis- + sembler, to appear, seem; see semblable.]

dis·sem'blance n., dis·sem'bler n., dis·sem'bling·ly adv.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dissemble

1413 (implied in dissemblable), apparently a variant of M.E. dissimule (infl. by M.Fr. dessembler or Eng. resemble), from O.Fr. dissimuler, from L. dissimulare (see dissimulation).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

dissemble
verb
1.	make believe with the intent to deceive; "He feigned that he was ill"; "He shammed a headache" [syn: feign]
2.	hide under a false appearance; "He masked his disappointment"
3.	behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dissemble

Con*ceal"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Concealed; p. pr. & vb. n. Concealing.] [OF. conceler, L. concelare; con- + celareto hide; akin to AS. helan, G. hehlen, E. hele (to cover), helmet. See Hell, Helmet.] To hide or withdraw from observation; to cover; to cover or keep from sight; to prevent the discovery of; to withhold knowledge of.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing. --Prov. xxv. 2.

Declare ye among the nations, . . . publish and conceal not. --Jer. l. 2.

He which finds him shall deserve our thanks, . . . He that conceals him, death. --Shak.

Syn: To hide; secrete; screen; cover; disguise; dissemble; mask; veil; cloak; screen.

Usage: To Conceal, Hide, Disguise, Dissemble, Secrete. To hide is the generic term, which embraces all the rest. To conceal is simply not make known what we wish to keep secret. In the Bible hide often has the specific meaning of conceal. See --1 Sam. iii. 17, 18. To disguise or dissemble is to conceal by assuming some false appearance. To secrete is to hide in some place of secrecy. A man may conceal facts, disguise his sentiments, dissemble his feelings, secrete stolen goods.

Bur double griefs afflict concealing hearts. --Spenser.

Both dissemble deeply their affections. --Shak.

We have in these words a primary sense, which reveals a future state, and a secondary sense, which hides and secretes it. --Warburton.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dissemble

Dis*sem"blance\, n. [Cf. F. dissemblance. See Dissemble.] Want of resemblance; dissimilitude. [R.] --Osborne.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dissemble

Dis*sem"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dissembled; p. pr. & vb. n. Dissembling.] [OF. dissembler to be dissimilar; pref. dis- (L. dis-) + F. sembler to seem, L. simulare to simulate; cf. L. dissimulare to dissemble. See Simulate, and cf. Dissimulate.]

1. To hide under a false semblance or seeming; to feign (something) not to be what it really is; to put an untrue appearance upon; to disguise; to mask.

Dissemble all your griefs and discontents. --Shak.

Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But -- why did you kick me down stairs? --J. P. Kemble.

2. To put on the semblance of; to make pretense of; to simulate; to feign.

He soon dissembled a sleep. --Tatler.

Syn: To conceal; disguise; cloak; cover; equivocate. See Conceal.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dissemble

Dis*sem"ble\, v. i. To conceal the real fact, motives, ?tention, or sentiments, under some pretense; to assume a false appearance; to act the hypocrite.

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips. --Prov. xxvi. 24.

He [an enemy] dissembles when he assumes an air of friendship. --C. J. Smith.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dissemble

Dis*sim"u*late\, a. [L. dissimulatus, p. p. of dissimulare. See Dissemble.] Feigning; simulating; pretending. [Obs.] --Henryson.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dissemble

Sim"u*late\, a. [L. simulatus, p. p. of simulare to simulate; akin to simul at the same time, together, similis like. See Similar, and cf. Dissemble, Semblance.] Feigned; pretended. --Bale.

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