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Webster 1913 Edition


Dissemble

Dis-sem′ble

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Dissembled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Dissembling
.]
[OF.
dissembler
to be dissimilar; pref.
dis-
(L.
dis-
) + F.
sembler
to seem, L.
simulare
to simulate; cf. L.
dissimulare
to dissemble. See
Simulate
, and cf.
Dissimulate
.]
1.
To hide under a false semblance or seeming; to feign (something) not to be what it really is; to put an untrue appearance upon; to disguise; to mask.
Dissemble
all your griefs and discontents.
Shakespeare
Perhaps it was right to
dissemble
your love,
But – why did you kick me down stairs?
J. P. Kemble.
2.
To put on the semblance of; to make pretense of; to simulate; to feign.
Syn. – To conceal; disguise; cloak; cover; equivocate. See
Conceal
.

Dis-sem′ble

,
Verb.
I.
To conceal the real fact, motives, intention, or sentiments, under some pretense; to assume a false appearance; to act the hypocrite.
He that hateth
dissembleth
with his lips.
Prov. xxvi. 24.
He [an enemy]
dissembles
when he assumes an air of friendship.
C. J. Smith.

Webster 1828 Edition


Dissemble

DISSEMBLE

,
Verb.
T.
[L.]
1.
To hide under a false appearance; to conceal; to disguise; to pretend that not to be which really is; as, I will not dissemble the truth; I cannot dissemble my real sentiments. [This is the proper sense of this word.]
2.
To pretend that to be which is not; to make a false appearance of. This is the sense of simulate.
Your son Lucentio doth love my daughter, and she loveth him, or both dissemble deeply their affections.

DISSEMBLE

,
Verb.
I.
To be hypocritical; to assume a false appearance; to conceal the real fact, motives, intention or sentiments under some pretense.
Ye have stolen and dissembled also. Joshua 7.
He that hateth, dissembleth with his lips. Proverbs 26.