dissembler

2 definitions found

dissembler - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]

dissembler - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  dissembler
      n 1: a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she
           does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings
           or motives [syn: hypocrite, dissembler, dissimulator,
           phony, phoney, pretender]