pretense Hear it!

pretense definition

pre·tense (prē tens′, pri-; prē′tens′)

noun

  1. a claim, esp. an unsupported one, as to some distinction or accomplishment; pretension
  2. a false claim or profession
  3. a false show of something
  4. a pretending, as at play; make-believe
  5. a false reason or plea; pretext
  6. Rare aim; intention
  7. pretentiousness; ostentation
  8. a pretentious act or remark

Etymology: ME < Anglo-Fr pretensse < ML *pretensa < praetensus, alleged < pp. of L praetendere: see pretend

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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