DISSEMBLE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Dissemble

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/dɪsˈɛmbəl/ Listen

verb

Dissemble v. t. (past & past part. dissembled; pres. part. dissembling)

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. "Dissemble all your griefs and discontents." "Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But why did you kick me down stairs?"

To put on the semblance of; to make pretense of; to simulate; to feign. "He soon dissembled a sleep."

Synonyms: To conceal; disguise; cloak; cover; equivocate. See Conceal.

Dissemble v. i. To conceal the real fact, motives, intention, or sentiments, under some pretense; to assume a false appearance; to act the hypocrite. "He that hateth dissembleth with his lips." "He (an enemy) dissembles when he assumes an air of friendship."

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Etymology of 'Dissemble'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Dissemble" Quotes from Famous Books

... have also read Luther, Melanchthon, Brentius, and others; I entirely approve their doctrines, and I might speedily agree with them in all that concerns the ecclesiastical hierarchy. But I am compelled still to dissemble for a time, that I may gain some that are yet weak in the faith." A little later he adverted to Wuertemberg's remarks to Guise. "You informed my brother," he said, "that in Germany we are both of us suspected of having contributed ...

— History of the Rise of the Huguenots - Volume 2 • Henry Baird

... on. Arrived at the market-place, I stopped and gazed down the street. For pleasure. Now, was that an answer to give? For weariness, you should have replied, and made your voice whining. You are a booby; you will never learn to dissemble. From exhaustion, and you should have gasped like ...

— Hunger • Knut Hamsun

... saying to himself: "This is the reverse of the scene at Churwalden. It is now I who wear a long face, and she cannot dissemble her joy. Just requital ...

— Samuel Brohl & Company • Victor Cherbuliez

... order to save her life, was obliged to dissemble. If her true Protestant opinions had been avowed, I doubt if she could have escaped. We do not see in this dissimulation anything very lofty; yet she acted with singular tact and discretion. It is creditable, ...

— Beacon Lights of History, Volume VIII • John Lord

... the King gave consent, and calling the bear before him, he said, "Sir Bruin, it is our pleasure that you deliver this message; yet in the delivery thereof have great regard to yourself; for Reynard is full of policy, and knoweth how to dissemble, flatter, and betray; he hath a world of snares to entangle you withal, and without great exercise of judgment, will make a scorn and mock of the best ...

— The Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg - Second Edition • Unknown

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