Question

I was tired of hearing the speaker dissemble. There is only so much lying that I can listen to before I become frustrated.

Using context clues, how would you define the word dissemble in the passage?

to tell untruths
to speak smoothly
to pander
to speak too honestly

Answer 1

'Dissemble' would mean to tell untruths.

Answer 2

Dissemble by itself has a few meanings that can makes us understand this better:

1) conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

2) disguise or conceal (a feeling or intention).

Besides that, you can perceive by the text itself what is happening, since: "There is only so much lying that I can listen to" is clearly a reference to the speaker's dishonesty.

The speaker is telling untruths and that is precisely wha,t is bothering the character. It has nothing to do with smooth talk, pander and specially nothing to do with the speaker being honest. it's the opposite. The correct answer is:

to tell untruths