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.
verb
- to conceal (one’s real motives, emotions, etc) by pretence
- (tr) to pretend; simulate
- obsolete to ignore
early 15c. (implied in dissemblable), apparently a variant of Middle English dissimule (influenced by Middle French dessembler or English resemble), late 14c., from Old French dissimuler, from Latin dissimulare (see dissimulation). Related: Dissembled; dissembling.