▪ I. ˈdouble-dealing, double dealing, vbl. n.
[see double a. 5.]
Action marked by duplicity; the profession of one thing and practice of another.
| a 1529 Skelton Dethe Erle Northumb. 174 Let double delyng in the haue no place. 1632 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 133 Some..feared there was some dissembling or double dealing in this businesse. 1748 Anson's Voy. iii. x. 403 The malice and double-dealing of the Chinese. 1830 D'Israeli Chas. I, III. iv. 45 Saville..by his double-dealing with the King and the Scots, proved himself a political traitor. |
▪ II. ˈdouble-dealing, ppl. a.
[f. prec., or f. double adv. 3.]
Using duplicity.
| 1587 Golding De Mornay xiv. 223 To be beguiled by a dubbledealing Spy. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 53 Lowminded, doubledealing, self-seeking politicians. |