disimulo

Disimulo is a noun designating the act or habit of concealing one’s true thoughts, feelings, or motives by presenting a feigned or controlled outward appearance. It involves deliberate masking of emotions, ignorance, or intentions, often to avoid conflict, to protect oneself, or to conform to social expectations. In literature and everyday speech, disimulo is described as a tactic for navigating social interaction or political maneuvering, and its moral evaluation depends on context and intent.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin dissimulāre “to pretend, to feign,” via the Spanish disimular. It is closely related to the English word dissimulation. The noun form disimulo is the corresponding noun in Spanish, used for both neutral and pejorative senses.

Usage: In classical and modern texts, disimulo appears as a device to conceal loyalties, feelings, or plans. It can be presented as prudent discretion in risky situations or as deceit in contexts that expect honesty. Common collocations include hacer disimulo (to feign, to pretend) and con disimulo (with concealment).

Examples: A politician may speak gently while using disimulo to mask aggressive policy aims. A character asks questions about another’s intentions, all the while maintaining a calm disimulo to avoid revealing true motives.

See also: dissimulation, feigning, disguise, pretense, hypocrisy, concealment.