Dissimulation means the act of hiding or concealing one's true feelings, thoughts, or intentions by putting on a false appearance, pretense, or disguise. It involves deceit or hypocrisy, where a person pretends or feigns contrary to their real state of mind or purpose. Dissimulation can simply be the concealment of opinions or feelings, or it may include assuming a false or counterfeit demeanor to mask the truth. This concept is often associated with insincerity and hypocrisy but can sometimes be seen as a necessary vice in social or political contexts. The word comes from Latin roots meaning "to make unlike" or "to disguise".