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

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

And always, Always a girl has to pretend that never did she descend to dissemblance.

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

"I see where you are heading, but——" "I do not like dissemblance, Stephen," she warned.

From Then I'll Come Back to You by Evans, Larry

As this latter animal is quite one-third head, he has no very great dissemblance to the alligator in this particular.

From The Sea Lions The Lost Sealers by Cooper, James Fenimore