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A.Word.A.Day--dissemble

dissemble (di-SEM-buhl) verb tr., intr.

To hide true feelings, motives, or the facts.

[By alteration of Middle English dissimulen, from Latin dissimulare, from simulare, from similis (similar).]

From The Devil's Dictionary: Dissemble, v.i. To put a clean shirt upon the character.

See more usage examples of dissemble in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

"So when should you be honest and when should you dissemble? 'You don't want to trick them and tell them later about the onions in the soup because they'll learn not to trust you,' advises Chambliss." Barbara Rowley; 7 Rules For a Peaceful Home; Parenting (San Francisco); Dec 2001/Jan 2002.

This week's theme: words from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce.

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