false

adjective

1. 1

   Untrue, not factual, factually incorrect.

   Also the rule of false position, with dyuers examples not onely vulgar, but some appertaynyng to the rule of Algeber.

2. 2

   Based on factually incorrect premises.

   false legislation, false punishment

3. 3

   Spurious, artificial.

   false teeth

   At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.

4. 4

   Of a state in Boolean logic that indicates a negative result.

5. 5

   Uttering falsehood; dishonest or deceitful.

   a false witness

6. 6

   Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous.

   a false friend, lover, or subject; false to promises

   I to my ſelf was falſe, e’re thou to me,[…]

   She had been in Baton Rouge but a little over two weeks, when suddenly his letters ceased. She awaited in anxious suspense a whole week — no letter. Another week dragged heavily, and her anxiety became a terrible fear. Was he sick and unable to write — was he dead — or, still more terrible thought, had he proved false?

7. 7

   Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous.

   a false conclusion; a false construction in grammar

   So downe he fell, as an huge rockie clift, / Whoſe falſe foundacion waues haue waſht away,[…]

8. 8

   Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which are temporary or supplemental.

9. 9

   Used in the vernacular name of a species (or group of species) together with the name of another species to which it is similar in appearance.

   false scorpion (an arachnid)

   false killer whale (a dolphin)

   false powderpost beetles (members of Bostrichidae not in Lyctinae)

10. 10

    Out of tune.

verb

1. 1

   To incorrectly decode noise as if it were a valid signal.

2. 2

   To begin a race before being instructed to do so; to do a false start.

   Records have been broken, races have been dedicated, dreams have been dreamed, starts have been falsed and nouns have been verbed.

3. 3

   obsoleteTo violate, to betray (a promise, an agreement, one’s faith, etc.).

   And he that could with giftes and promiſes, Inueigle him that lead a thouſand horſe, And make him falſe his faith vnto his King, Will quickly win ſuch as be like himſelfe.

4. 4

   obsoleteTo counterfeit, to forge.

5. 5

   obsoleteTo make false, to corrupt from something true or real.

adverb

1. 1

   In a dishonest and disloyal way; falsely.

   Sweet Lord, you play me falſe.

noun

1. 1

   One of two options on a true-or-false test, that not representing true.

   The student received a failing grade for circling every true and false on her quiz.

Forms

plural

falses

comparative

falser, more false

superlative

falsest, most false

past tense

falsed

past participle

falsed

present participle

falsing

third person singular

falses