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dissemble
[ dih-sem-buhl ]
/ dɪˈsɛm bəl /
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verb (used with object), dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling.
to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of: to dissemble one's incompetence in business.
to put on the appearance of; feign: to dissemble innocence.
Obsolete. to let pass unnoticed; ignore.
verb (used without object), dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling.
to conceal one's true motives, thoughts, etc., by some pretense; speak or act hypocritically.
OTHER WORDS FOR dissemble
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Origin of dissemble
First recorded in 1490–1500; late Middle English dissemile, dissimill, alteration (by association with obsolete semblen, sembel “to bear a resemblance, appear to be”) of Middle English dissimulen “to assume a false appearance, be insincere,” from Old French dessembler, dissembler “to be unlike,” from Latin dissimulāre “to conceal the identity of, disguise”; see origin at dis-1, resemble, simulate
OTHER WORDS FROM dissemble
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dissemble
disassemble, dissembleWords nearby dissemble
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use dissemble in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for dissemble
dissemble
/ (dɪˈsɛmbəl) /
verb
to conceal (one's real motives, emotions, etc) by pretence
(tr) to pretend; simulate
obsolete to ignore
Derived forms of dissemble
dissemblance, noundissembler, noundissembling, noun, adjectivedissemblingly, adverbWord Origin for dissemble
C15: from earlier dissimulen, from Latin dissimulāre; probably influenced by obsolete semble to resemble
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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