feigned

Everyday

1. Pretended; shown on the outside but not truly felt. tree →
2. Past form of feign: having pretended to feel or be something. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it warns the reader that a feeling is fake: «feigned surprise», «feigned innocence». It helps readers notice when a character is hiding the truth. Phrases: feigned interest, feigned surprise, feigned illness, with feigned calm.

Examples

• She gasped with feigned surprise when she opened the present she had already seen. tree →
• He feigned illness to miss the spelling test. tree →
• With feigned innocence, the dog sat next to the chewed shoe. tree →
• The spy spoke with feigned calm. tree →
• Her feigned smile did not fool her best friend. tree →
• The fox feigned sleep until the hens came close. tree →
• "W'ich ark's dat?" asked the old man, in a tone of well-feigned curiosity. tree →

Note

Pronounced «faind», the g is silent. Opposite: genuine, real, sincere. Used before a noun as an adjective: a feigned yawn.

In Jewish tradition

Pretended, as David pretended to be mad before the king of Gath. In the primary lessons: In stories it warns the reader that a feeling is fake: «feigned surprise», «feigned innocence». It helps readers notice when a character is hiding the truth. Phrases: feigned interest, feigned surprise, feigned illness, with feigned calm.

Examples

• And he changed his demeanour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. (Prophets 1SA.21.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Pronounced «faind», the g is silent. Opposite: genuine, real, sincere. Used before a noun as an adjective: a feigned yawn.