feign
UK: feɪn | US: feɪn
vt. to pretend or invent falsely (e.g., an emotion, illness, etc.)
vt. to imitate deceptively; fabricate
The word "feign" traces back to Latin fingere, meaning "to shape, mold, or invent." This evolved into Old French feindre ("to pretend"), reflecting the idea of crafting a false appearance. The English adaptation retained the core sense of deliberate deception, often through imitation or fabrication. The morpheme "feign" itself encapsulates this history of artificial creation.
She tried to feign indifference, but her trembling hands betrayed her.
The actor had to feign surprise for the camera.
He feigned illness to avoid attending the meeting.
The spy feigned loyalty while gathering information.
Children often feign sleep when parents check on them.