hypocrisy
(hɪˈpɒkrɪsɪ)
Forms: 3–6 ypo-, ipo-, 3 -crisi, 4–6 -crisie, (4 -crisye, -cricie, -cresye, 4–5 -crysie, -crysye, -cryse, 4–6 -cresie, -crisy, -crysy, 5 -cresy, 6 -cracy, -crasie, -chrisi), 6 hipocrisie, hypocresie, 6–8 hypocrisie, 6– hypocrisy.
[a. OF. ypocrisie (mod.F. hypocrisie), f. eccl. L. hypocrisis, a. Gr. ὑπόκρισις, the acting of a part on the stage, feigning, pretence, f. ὑποκρίνεσθαι to answer, to play a part, pretend, f. ὑπό hypo- + κρίν-ειν to decide, determine, judge. The etymological spelling with h became current (as in French) in the 16th c.]
The assuming of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, with dissimulation of real character or inclinations, esp. in respect of religious life or beliefs; hence in general sense, dissimulation, pretence, sham. Also, an instance of this.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 342 Of alle kudde & kuðe sunnen, ase of prude..of ipocrisie. a 1300 Cursor M. 27598 O pride becums..Ypocrisi. 1340 Ayenb. 25 Ypocrisye..is a zenne þet makeþ to ssewy þe guod wyþ-oute þet ne is naȝt wyþ-inne. 1426 Audelay Poems 31 A prechur schuld lyve parfytly, And do as he techys truly, Ellys hit is ypocresy. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 266/1 Ipocrysye, ipocrisis. 1529 S. Fish Supplic. Beggers (E.E.T.S.) 11 By theyre cloked ypochrisi. 1555 Hooper Let. in Coverdale Lett. Mart. (1564) 159 No coulor nor cloked hipocrisie. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform. v. 98 Purge vs from Ipocrasie. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 183 Thair fals Hypocresie Throw all the warld is now out⁓cryit. 1612 T. Taylor Titus ii. 6 Those promises but hypocrisies, without any soundnesse. a 1704 T. Brown Sat. agst. Wom. Wks. (1730) I. 56 Cruelty inconstancy and lies, Envy and malice, deep hypocrisies. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serm. ii. 40 It is the law of goodness to produce hypocrisy. |