h_ till the game is hunted out, and the _chase_
till it is hunted down. Figuratively, we speak of literary _pursuits_,
or of the _pursuit_ of knowledge; a _search_ for reasons; the _chase_
of fame or honor; _hunt_, in figurative use, inclines to the unfavorable
sense of _inquisition_, but with more of dash and aggressiveness; as, a
_hunt_ for heresy.

* * * * *

HYPOCRISY.

Synonyms:

affectation, formalism, pretense, sanctimony,
cant, pharisaism, sanctimoniousness, sham.
dissimulation, pietism,

_Pretense_ (L. _praetendo_) primarily signifies the holding something
forward as having certain rights or claims, whether truly or falsely; in
the good sense, it is now rarely used except with a negative; as, there
can be no _pretense_ that this is due; a false _pretense_ implies the
possibility of a true _pretense_; but, alone and unlimited, _pretense_
commonly signifies the offering of something for what it is not.
_Hypocrisy_ is the false _pretense_ of moral excellence, either as a
cover for actual wrong, or for the sake of the credit and advantage
attaching to virtue. _Cant_ (L. _cantus_, a song), primarily the
singsong iteration of the language of any party, school, or sect,
denotes the mechanical and pretentious use of religious phraseology,
without corresponding feeling or character; _sanctimoniousness_ is the
assumption of a saintly manner without a saintly character. As _cant_ is
_hypocrisy_ in utterance, so _sanctimoniousness_ is _hypocrisy_ in
appearance, as in looks, tones, etc. _Pietism_, originally a word of
good import, is now chiefly used for an unregulated emotionalism;
_formalism_ is an exaggerated devotion to forms, rites, and ceremonies,
without corresponding earnestness of heart; _sham_ (identical in origin
with _shame_) is a trick or device that puts one to shame, or that
shamefully disappoints expectation or falsifies appearance.
_Affectation_ is in matters of intellect, taste, etc., much what
_hypocrisy_ is in morals and religion; _affectation_ might be termed
petty _hypocrisy_. Compare DECEPTION.

Antonyms:

candor, genuineness, ingenuousness, sincerity, truth,
frankness, honesty, openness, transparency, truthfulness.

* * * * *

HYPOCRITE.

Synonyms:

cheat, deceiver, dissembler, impostor, pretender.

A _hypocrite_ (Gr. _hypokrites_, one who answers on the st