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

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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

The incomparable treachery of Pontiac in endeavoring to secure the Fort by dissemblance of friendship was further evidenced by his pretence at a truce.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 13 by John Rudd

To make the illusion of the past as complete as possible, and the dissemblance from the sailing ship as slight, the smoke-stack—or funnel—was telescopic, permitting it to be lowered almost out of sight.

From From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life by A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan

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

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