dissemble

[ dih-sem-buhl ]
/ dɪˈsɛm bəl /

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.

Origin of dissemble

1490–1500; alteration (by association with obsolete semble to resemble) of Middle English dissimulen < Latin dissimulāre. See dis-1, simulate

OTHER WORDS FROM dissemble

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dissemble

disassemble dissemble

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, noun dissembler, noun dissembling, noun, adjective dissemblingly, adverb

Word Origin for dissemble

C15: from earlier dissimulen, from Latin dissimulāre; probably influenced by obsolete semble to resemble