Dissemble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dissembled; p. pr. & vb. n. Dissembling.]
Etymology: [OF. dissembler to be dissimilar; pref. dis- (L. dis-) + F. sembler to seem, L. simulare to simulate; cf. L. dissimulare to dissemble. See Simulate, and cf. Dissimulate.]
1. To hide under a false semblance or seeming; to feign (something) not to be what it really is; to put an untrue appearance upon; to disguise; to mask. Dissemble all your griefs and discontents. Shak. Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But -- why did you kick me down stairs J. P. Kemble.
2. To put on the semblance of; to make pretense of; to simulate; to feign. He soon dissembled a sleep. Tatler.
Syn. -- To conceal; disguise; cloak; cover; equivocate. See Conceal.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Dissemble, v. i.
To conceal the real fact, motives, He that hateth dissembleth with his lips. Prov. xxvi. 24. He [an enemy] dissembles when he assumes an air of friendship. C. J. Smith.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for dissemble; he lists it under hide.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.