Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FALSE, a. [L. falsus, from fallo, to deceive; Sp. falso; It. id.; Fr. faux, fausse; Sax. false; D. valsch; G. falsch; Sw. and Dan. falsk; W. fals; Ir. falsa. 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. Dryden.
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. Mar. Dict. 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.