dissemble

dissemble Definition

dis·sem·ble (di sem′bəl)

transitive verb dissembled -·bled, dissembling -·bling

to conceal under a false appearance; disguise to dissemble fear by smiling
Obsolete to pretend to be in a state of; simulate; feign to dissemble innocence
Obsolete to pretend not to notice; ignore

Etymology: ME dissemblen < OFr dessembler < des-, dis- + sembler < L simulare: see simulate

intransitive verb

to conceal the truth, or one's true feelings, motives, etc., by pretense; behave hypocritically

Related Forms:

dissemble Synonyms

To disguise
mask, cover, camouflage; see disguise, hide 1.
To behave hypocritically
feign, sham, dissimulate, put on an act*; see lie 1, pretend 1.

dissemble Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

not: I need not dissemble what all the country knows: she was not very well used by one of our family.

dissemble Quotes

If you dissemble sometimes your knowledge of that you are thought to know, you shall be thought, another time, to know that you know not.

—Bacon, Francis,Viscount St Albans

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