Dissembler

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  dissembler
       n : a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he does not
           hold [syn: {hypocrite}, {phony}, {phoney}, {pretender}]