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Heuchelei

hypocrisy

noun hoy-khe-LY Rare

Usage Note

Heuchelei is hypocrisy, the feigning of virtue or feeling, from heucheln (to feign). The person is a Heuchler. It names a moral failing of insincerity, often levelled in political and religious critique. Plural Heucheleien for individual acts.

Examples

"Seine fromme Rede entpuppte sich als reine Heuchelei."

Natural Translation

His pious speech turned out to be pure hypocrisy.

Literal Translation

His pious speech unmasked itself as pure hypocrisy.

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