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

For, this infinite varietie and dissemblance of lustres, makes a face so wan, so il-favored, and so uglie, in respect of theirs, that they lose much more than gaine thereby.

From Literary and Philosophical Essays: French, German and Italian by Various

"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

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

From The Tigress by Warner, Anne