dissemble etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle French: dissimuler, from Latin: dissimulare

Meaning:

  • To pretend or conceal one's true feelings or intentions.
  • To hide or disguise something.

Origin:

The Latin word "dissimulare" is derived from the prefix "dis-" (away, apart) and the verb "simulare" (to pretend, to imitate). It literally means "to pretend away" or "to put on a false appearance."

Historical Usage:

The word "dissemble" has been used in English since the 13th century, and it has consistently meant "to pretend" or "to disguise." It was often used in a negative sense, to refer to someone who was deceptive or untrustworthy.

For example, in William Shakespeare's play "King Lear," the character of Edmund is described as a "dissembling villain."

Contemporary Usage:

Today, "dissemble" is still used to refer to pretending or concealing something, but it is less commonly used than in the past.

  • "The politician dissembled his true motives during the interview."
  • "The spy tried to dissemble his disguise by wearing everyday clothing."

dissemble relate terms

  • dissembling

    Etymology The word dissembling is derived from the following Latin terms dis prefi

  • dissemble

    Etymology Middle French dissimuler from Latin dissimulare Meaning To pretend or

  • similar

    Etymology Meaning Origin Example 1 Benedict Latin benedictus Blessed holy Lati

  • cloak

    Etymology Middle English cloke from Old English cloca Proto West Germanic klukkōn

  • mask

    Etymology Middle English maske from Old French masque from Italian maschera from Ar

  • sham

    Meaning A form of folk etymology in which a word s actual origin is incorrectly replaced

  • cover

    Etymology Origin of the Word Middle English coveren cover from the Old French covr

  • mouth

    Etymology The word mouth comes from the Old English word mūþ which is believed to

  • assume

    Etymology refers to the history and origin of words including their roots derivations a

  • mash

    Etymology and Origin The word mash has several possible origins Old English masc

  • bull

    Etymology The word bull comes from the Middle English word bulle which in turn came

  • simulate

    Etymology The word simulate comes from the Latin word simulare which means to imita

  • affect

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word afficere meaning to do something to or to ha