YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME
Dissemble
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Meaning in plain English
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Pronunciation
Dissemble/dɪˈsɛmbəl/
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See the meaning
Inside: resentment
Outside: a friendly smile
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Examples in context
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- She smiled politely, dissembling her disappointment at the rejection.
- Politicians often dissemble their intentions behind carefully crafted speeches.
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Quick word quiz
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Can you recall the word?
Complete the example using the word from this lesson.
Politicians often ________ their intentions behind carefully crafted speeches.
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Dissemble — To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to disguise or hide under a false appearance.
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Write one sentence using “Dissemble” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to disguise or hide under a false appearance.
Compare: She smiled politely, dissembling her disappointment at the rejection.
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Dissemble is not disassemble
Dissemble means to conceal or disguise the truth, feelings or intentions. Disassemble means to take something apart. The similar spellings can cause confusion. Forms of dissemble include dissembled and dissembling; notice that dissembling drops the final e.
In context: He tried to dissemble his disappointment by praising the result enthusiastically.
Try it: Complete the instruction about furniture: “Please ___ the desk before moving it.”
Check the explanation
Disassemble. The instruction concerns taking the desk apart, not hiding a feeling or intention.
Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Dissemble.
Word origin
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