false

FALSE, adjective [Latin falsus, from fallo, to deceive. See Fall and Fail.] 1. Not true; not conformable to fact; expressing what is contrary to that which exists, is done, said or thought. A false report communicates what is not done or said. A false accusation imputes to a person what he has not done or said. A false witness testifies what is not true. A false opinion is not according to truth or fact. The word is applicable to any subject, physical or moral. 2. Not well founded; as a false claim. 3. Not true; not according to the lawful standard; as a false weight or measure. 4. Substituted for another; succedaneous; supposititious; as a false bottom. 5. Counterfeit; forged; not genuine; as false coin; a false bill or note. 6. Not solid or sound; deceiving expectations; as a false foundation FALSE and slippery ground. 7. Not agreeable to rule or propriety; as false construction in language. 8. Not honest or just; not fair; as false play. 9. Not faithful or loyal; treacherous; perfidious; deceitful. The king's subjects may prove false to him. So we say, a false heart. 10. Unfaithful; inconstant; as a false friend; a false lover; false to promises and vows. The husband and wife proved false to each other. 11. Deceitful; treacherous; betraying secrets. 12. Counterfeit; not genuine or real; as a false diamond. 13. Hypocritical; feigned; made or assumed for the purpose of deception; as false tears; false modesty. The man appears in false colors. The advocate gave the subject a false coloring. FALSE fire, a blue flame, made by the burning of certain combustibles, in a wooden tube; used as a signal during the night. FALSE imprisonment, the arrest and imprisonment of a person without warrant or cause, or contrary to law; or the unlawful detaining of a person in custody. FALSE, adverb Not truly; not honestly; falsely. FALSE, verb transitive 1. To violate by failure of veracity; to deceive. obsolete 2. To defeat; to balk; to evade. obsolete