Dissembler \Dis*sem"bler\, n.
One who dissembles; one who conceals his opinions or
dispositions under a false appearance; a hypocrite.
[1913 Webster]
It is the weakest sort of politicians that are the
greatest dissemblers. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
Priests, princes, women, no dissemblers here. --Pope.
Syn: Dissembler, Hypocrite.
Usage: A person is called a dissembler with reference to his
concealment of his real character, and a hypocrite
with reference to his assumption of a false character.
But hypocrite is the stronger word, being commonly
used to characterize a person who is habitually
insincere and false, especially one who makes
professions of goodness when his aims are selfish and
his life corrupt.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
dissembler
n : a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he does not
hold [syn: hypocrite, phony, phoney, pretender]
WordNet (r) 2.0
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