dissemble (redirected from dissembles)

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.

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[Middle English dissemblen, from Old French dessembler, to be different : des-, dis- + sembler, to appear, seem; see semblable.]

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dis·semblance n.

dis·sembler n.

dis·sembling·ly adv.

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dissemble

Verb

[-bling, -bled] to conceal one's real motives or emotions by pretence [Latin dissimulare]

dissembler n

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	dissemble - make believe with the intent to deceive; "He feigned that he was ill"; "He shammed a headache" feign, pretend, sham, affect 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" cloak, mask disguise, mask - make unrecognizable; "The herb masks the garlic taste"; "We disguised our faces before robbing the bank"
	3.	dissemble - behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting" pretend, act 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"