/hi pok"reuh see/ , n. , pl. hypocrisies .
1. a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.
2. a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.
3. an act or instance of hypocrisy.
[ 1175-1225; ME ipocrisie hypocrisis hypókrisis play acting, equiv. to hypokrí ( nesthai ) to play a part, explain ( hypo- HYPO- + krínein to distinguish, separate) + -sis -SIS; h- (reintroduced in 16th century) ]
Syn. 1. See deceit .