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.
SYNONYMS FOR dissemble
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
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. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for dissemble
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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