▪ I. † diˈssembly1 Obs.
[f. dissemble v.1: cf. next.]
Dissembling, dissimulation.
| c 1534 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) II. 198 Ther is no deceyt more depe and secrete than that which lurketh in the dissembly of understanding, or under soome colour of curtesy. 1588 Allen Admon. 21 [Elizabeth] dallied and abused by dissembly almost all the great personages of Europe, to whom..she proffered herself. |
▪ II. diˈssembly2 nonce-wd.
[f. dissemble v.3, after assembly.]
The separation of an assembly.
| 1887 Sat. Rev. 10 Sept. 340 The hurried assembly and more hurried dissembly of some stolen meetings. |
¶It occurs in 16–17th c. as a perversion of assembly.
| 1599 Shakes. Much Ado iv. ii. 1 Is our whole dissembly appeard? 1684 Baxter Twelve Argts. §16. 27 Their usual Titles were, the Priestbyters, the Drivines, the Sinners of Westminster, the Dissembly men. |