Dissemble

[imp. & p. p. DISSEMBLED; p. pr. & vb. n. DISSEMBLING.] [O. Fr. dissembler, faire dissemblablement, N. Fr. dissimuler, Pr. & Catalan dissemb lar, Sp. disimular, It. dissimulare, Lat. dissimulare, from prefix dis and simulare, to make a thing like another, from similis, like, resembling. Cf. DISSIMULE.]

1Sense 1. To hide under a false semblance or seeming; to put an untrue appearance upon; to disguise; to mask; as, to dissemble the truth. “Did dissemble her sad thought’s unrest.” Spenser.

2Sense 2. To put on the semblance of; to make pretense of; to simulate; to feign.

Your son Lucentio here Doth love my daughter, and she loveth him, Or both dissemble deeply their affections. Shak.

Synonyms—To conceal; disguise; cloak; cover. See CONCEAL.

To conceal the real fact, motives, intention, or sentiments, under some pretense; to assume a false appearance; to act the hypocrite.

And have also stolen, and dissembled also. Josh. vii. 11.