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