feigned
UK: feɪnd | US: feɪnd
adj. not genuine; pretended or simulated
vt. (past tense of "feign") to pretend or invent falsely
feigned = feign<to pretend> + ed<past participle suffix>
- feign: From Old French feindre ("to pretend, avoid"), from Latin fingere ("to shape, invent, pretend"). The root fing- implies crafting or inventing, often with a deceptive connotation.
- ed: A common English suffix marking past tense or past participles.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin fingere, which originally meant "to mold or shape" (as in clay) but evolved metaphorically to mean "to invent or pretend." This shift reflects the idea of crafting false appearances. Through Old French feindre, the term entered Middle English as "feign," retaining its deceptive nuance. The addition of "-ed" standardizes it as a past participle or adjective.
She gave a feigned smile to hide her disappointment.
His feigned ignorance fooled no one.
The actor feigned surprise convincingly.
They feigned interest in the tedious lecture.
Her feigned apology lacked sincerity.