5 results for: Dissembling

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.
Dissembling

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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
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

dissembling
noun
1.	pretending with intention to deceive [syn: pretense]
2.	the act of deceiving [syn: deception]

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

Dissembling

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.

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