dissemblance

¹ American  

[dih-sem-bluhns] / dɪˈsɛm bləns /

noun

1. dissimilarity; unlikeness.

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dissemblance ² American  

[dih-sem-bluhns] / dɪˈsɛm bləns /

noun

1. dissembling; dissimulation.

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Etymology

Origin of dissemblance¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Middle French word dessemblance. See dis- ¹, semblance

Origin of dissemblance²

First recorded in 1550–60; dissemble + -ance

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dissemblance

Diana’s story is, for better and worse, the ultimate proof that glamour is not the same as happiness; indeed, it is an art of dissemblance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2021

For “The Water Diviner,” his muddled directorial debut about love in the time of war and dissemblance, Russell Crowe wanted to go full David Lean while nodding at Peter Weir’s “Gallipoli.”

From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2015

If it were our Barker who sat there his dissemblance was remarkable.

From Ghosts I Have Met and Some Others by Bangs, John Kendrick

In truth it seems that too often a girl must dissemble—hateful as dissemblance in men.

From Hints for Lovers by Haultain, T. Arnold (Theodore Arnold)

She believed dissemblance necessary, and so she had no hesitation in dissembling.

From The Tigress by Warner, Anne