— hypocritical , adj. — hypocritically , adv.
/hip"euh krit/ , n.
1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
[ 1175-1225; ME ipocrite hypocrita hypokrités a stage actor, hence one who pretends to be what he is not, equiv. to hypokrí ( nesthai ) (see HYPOCRISY) + -tes agent suffix ]
Syn . deceiver, dissembler, pretender, pharisee.