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dissemble

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
dis·sem·ble  (d-smbl)
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·semblance n.
dis·sembler n.
dis·sembling·ly adv.

dissemble [dɪˈsɛmbəl]
vb
1. to conceal (one's real motives, emotions, etc.) by pretence
2. (tr) to pretend; simulate
3. Obsolete to ignore
[from earlier dissimulen, from Latin dissimulāre; probably influenced by obsolete semble to resemble]
dissemblance  n
dissembler  n
dissembling  n & adj
dissemblingly  adv
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Verb1.dissemble - make believe with the intent to deceive; "He feigned that he was ill"; "He shammed a headache"
misrepresent, belie - represent falsely; "This statement misrepresents my intentions"
make believe, pretend, make - represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like; "She makes like an actress"
play possum - to pretend to be dead
take a dive - pretend to be knocked out, as of a boxer
bullshit, talk through one's hat, bull, fake - speak insincerely or without regard for facts or truths; "The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it"
mouth - articulate silently; form words with the lips only; "She mouthed a swear word"
2.dissemble - hide under a false appearance; "He masked his disappointment"
disguise, mask - make unrecognizable; "The herb masks the garlic taste"; "We disguised our faces before robbing the bank"
3.dissembledissemble - behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting"
behave, act, do - behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; "You should act like an adult"; "Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people"
sham, feign, simulate, assume - make a pretence of; "She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with anger"; "he feigned sleep"

dissemble
verb hide, act, pretend, bluff, be dishonest, dissimulate, conceal or hide or mask your feelings He was not slow to dissemble when it served his purpose.
Translations
dissemble [dɪˈsembl]
A. VTocultar, disimular
B. VIdisimular
dissemble [dɪˈsɛmbəl] vidissimuler
dissemble
vt (= cover up)verbergen; (= feign)vortäuschen, heucheln
vi (liter)sich verstellen; (= feign illness)simulieren
dissemble [dɪˈsɛmbl] vt & vi (liter) → dissimulare
dissemble [dɪˈsɛmbl] vt & vi (liter) → dissimulare


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
" said the Farmer, seeing the result; "if that grain had not been heavily insured, I might have had to dissemble my hatred of the Fox.
I will not dissemble what real pleasure his sight afforded me, nor how strongly I felt the contrast between his person and manners and those of Reginald, to the infinite disadvantage of the latter.
Epicurus is charged, that he did but dissemble for his credit's sake, when he affirmed there were blessed natures, but such as enjoyed themselves, without having respect to the government of the world.
 
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