dissemble

English

Etymology

A modification of dissimule after resemble and semblance.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈsɛmbəl/,

• Audio (US)

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Verb

dissemble (third-person singular simple present dissembles, present participle dissembling, simple past and past participle dissembled)

1. (transitive) To disguise or conceal something.
   • c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, , page 35:

     Dissemble all your griefs and discontents.

   • 1662, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, “The Order for Morning and Evening Prayer Daily to be Said and Used throughout the Year”, in The Book of Common-Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, , London: John Bill, and Christopher Barker, , →OCLC, column 2:

     Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in ſundry places to acknowledge, and confeſs our manifold ſins and wickedneſs, and that we ſhould not diſſemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father, […]

   • 1788, John Philip Kemble, The Panel:

     Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love.

2. (transitive) To feign.
   • 1681, [John Dryden], Absalom and Achitophel. A Poem. , 3rd edition, London: J T and are to be sold by W. Davis , published 1682, →OCLC:

     And like a lion, slumb'ring in the way, / Or sleep-dissembling, while he waits his prey.

   • 1710 May 27 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Richard Steele et al.], “Tuesday, May 16, 1710”, in The Tatler, number 172; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, , London stereotype edition, volume III, London: I. Walker and Co.;  , 1822, →OCLC:

     He soon dissembled a sleep.

3. (transitive) To deliberately ignore something; to pretend not to notice.

   Synonyms: disregard, take no notice of; see also Thesaurus:ignore

4. (intransitive) To falsely hide one's opinions or feelings.
   • 1700, [John] Dryden, “Cymon and Iphigenia, from Boccace”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; , London: Jacob Tonson, , →OCLC, page 552:

     VVhile to his Arms the bluſhing Bride he took; / To ſeeming Sadneſs ſhe compoſ'd her Look; / As if by Force ſubjected to his VVill, / Tho' pleaſ'd, diſſembling, and a VVoman ſtill.

   • 1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Solomon on the Vanity of the World. A Poem in Three Books.”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: Jacob Tonson , and John Barber , →OCLC, book II (Pleasure), page 457:

     […] She transferr'd the curs'd Advice, / That Monarchs ſhould their inward Soul diſguise, / Diſſemble, and command; be falſe, and wiſe; / By ignominous Arts for ſervile Ends / Should compliment their Foes, and ſhun their Friends.

Usage notes

Not to be confused with disassemble (take apart).

Derived terms

• dissembler

Translations