What is the etymology of the word "hypocrite?"?

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Hypocrite Etymology

RE:

What is the etymology of the word "hypocrite?"?

I see in this the prefix "hypo," meaning under, beneath, less than, denoting a lack or deficiency; but I want to understand the full meaning of the word. The King James Version of the Bible translates a couple of words (one Hebrew, one Greek) as "hypocrite." My Hebrew / Chaldee...

The definition of the word hypocrite has been changed from the original. Originally it had to do with the Greeks who acted a drama. One actor had several parts, and when his part would change, he d change masks to show that he was now playing the part of a different character. The original meaning doesn t refer only to people of faith; i.e. anyone could pretend to be something that they re not.

hypocrisy

c.1225, from O.Fr. ypocrisie, from L.L. hypocrisis, from Gk. hypokrisis "acting on the stage, pretense," from hypokrinesthai "play a part, pretend," also "answer," from hypo- "under" + middle voice of krinein "to sift, decide" (see crisis). The sense evolution is from "separate gradually" to "answer" to "answer a fellow actor on stage" to "play a part." Thus hypocrite (c.1225) is ult. Gk. hypokrites "actor on the stage, pretender."

Main Entry:

hyp·o·crite

Pronunciation:

\ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English ypocrite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritēs actor, hypocrite, from hypokrinesthai

Date:

13th century

http://m-w.com/dictionary/hypocrite

Main Entry:

hyp·o·crite

Pronunciation:

\ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English ypocrite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritēs actor, hypocrite, from hypokrinesthai

Date:

13th century

1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion 2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

— hypocrite adjective

http://m-w.com/dictionary/hypocrite

Etymology: ME ipocrite < OFr < L hypocrita, stage actor (in LL(Ec), hypocrite) < Gr hypokritēs, an actor (in LXX & N.T., a pretender, hypocrite) < hypokrinesthai: see hypocrisy

[Origin: 1175–1225; ME ipocrite < OF < LL hypocrita < Gk hypokrits a stage actor, hence one who pretends to be what he is not, equiv. to hypokr(nesthai) (see hypocrisy) + -tés agent suffix]