Dissembler - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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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.
Dissembler

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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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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

dissembler
noun
a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives [syn: hypocrite]

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

Dissembler

Dis*sem"bler\, n. One who dissembles; one who conceals his opinions or dispositions under a false appearance; a hypocrite.

It is the weakest sort of politicians that are the greatest dissemblers. --Bacon.

Priests, princes, women, no dissemblers here. --Pope.

Syn: Dissembler, Hypocrite.

Usage: A person is called a dissembler with reference to his concealment of his real character, and a hypocrite with reference to his assumption of a false character. But hypocrite is the stronger word, being commonly used to characterize a person who is habitually insincere and false, especially one who makes professions of goodness when his aims are selfish and his life corrupt.

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