Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1100-1200
Language: Old French
Origin: ypocrisie, from Greek hypokrisis 'act of playing a part on stage, hypocrisy'

hypocrisy

 noun
     
hy‧poc‧ri‧sy [uncountable]
when someone pretends to have certain beliefs or opinions that they do not really have - used to show disapproval [≠ sincerity]:
It would be sheer hypocrisy to pray for success, since I've never believed in God.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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