false

false [fôls]

adj.

falser, falsest [ME < OFr < fals < L falsus, pp. of fallere, to deceive: see FAIL]

1. not true; in error; incorrect; mistaken [a false argument]

2. untruthful; lying; dishonest [a false witness]

3. disloyal; unfaithful [a false friend]

4. deceiving or meant to deceive; misleading [a false scent]

5. not real; artificial; counterfeit [false teeth]

6. not properly so named; deceptively resembling [false jasmine]

7. based on wrong or mistaken ideas [false pride]

8. Mech. temporary, nonessential, or added on for protection, disguise, etc. [a false drawer]

9. Music pitched inaccurately

adv.

falser, falsest

in a false manner

SYN.- FAITHLESS

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play someone false or play false

to deceive, cheat, hoodwink, or betray someone

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put in a false position

to cause misunderstanding of the intentions, opinions, etc. of

falsely

adv.

falseness

n.

SYN.- FALSE, in this comparison, refers to anything that is not in essence that which it purports to be and may or may not connote deliberate deception [false hair ]; SHAM refers to an imitation or simulation of something and usually connotes intent to deceive [sham piety ]; COUNTERFEIT and the colloquial BOGUS apply to a very careful imitation and always imply intent to deceive or defraud [counterfeit, or bogus, money ]; FAKE¹ is a less formal term for any person or thing that is not genuine [a fake doctor, chimney, etc. ] -ANT. GENUINE, REAL¹