[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.
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He [an enemy] dissembles when he assumes an air of
friendship. --C. J. Smith.
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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.
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Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love,
But -- why did you kick me down stairs? --J. P.
Kemble.
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2. To put on the semblance of; to make pretense of; to
simulate; to feign.
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He soon dissembled a sleep. --Tatler.
Syn: To conceal; disguise; cloak; cover; equivocate. See
Conceal.
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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