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dissemble

 - 3 dictionary results

dis⋅sem⋅ble

  [di-sem-buhl] verb, -bled, -bling.
Use dissemble in a Sentence
–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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dissemble
dis·sem·ble   (dĭ-sěm'bəl)   
v.   dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling, dis·sem·bles

v.   tr.

  1. To disguise or conceal behind a false appearance. See Synonyms at disguise.

  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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