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dis·sem·ble

(dĭ-sĕmbəl)

v. dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling, dis·sem·bles

v.intr.

To disguise or conceal one's real nature, motives, or feelings behind a false appearance.

v.tr.

To disguise or conceal behind a false appearance. See Synonyms at disguise.

[Middle English dissemblen, from Old French dessembler, to be different : des-, dis- + sembler, to appear, seem; see SEMBLABLE.]

dis·semblance n.

dis·sembler n.

dis·sembling·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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