Search Result for "dissemble": 
Wordnet 3.0

VERB (3)

1. make believe with the intent to deceive;
- Example: "He feigned that he was ill"
- Example: "He shammed a headache"
[syn: feign, sham, pretend, affect, dissemble]

2. hide under a false appearance;
- Example: "He masked his disappointment"
[syn: dissemble, cloak, mask]

3. behave unnaturally or affectedly;
- Example: "She's just acting"
[syn: dissemble, pretend, act]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dissemble \Dis*sem"ble\, v. i. To conceal the real fact, motives, intention, or sentiments, under some pretense; to assume a false appearance; to act the hypocrite. [1913 Webster] He that hateth dissembleth with his lips. --Prov. xxvi. 24. [1913 Webster] He [an enemy] dissembles when he assumes an air of friendship. --C. J. Smith. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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. [1913 Webster] Dissemble all your griefs and discontents. --Shak. [1913 Webster] Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But -- why did you kick me down stairs? --J. P. Kemble. [1913 Webster] 2. To put on the semblance of; to make pretense of; to simulate; to feign. [1913 Webster] He soon dissembled a sleep. --Tatler. Syn: To conceal; disguise; cloak; cover; equivocate. See Conceal. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

dissemble v 1: make believe with the intent to deceive; "He feigned that he was ill"; "He shammed a headache" [syn: feign, sham, pretend, affect, dissemble] 2: hide under a false appearance; "He masked his disappointment" [syn: dissemble, cloak, mask] 3: behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting" [syn: dissemble, pretend, act]
The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

DISSEMBLE, v.i. To put a clean shirt upon the character. Let us dissemble. Adam