pretension Hear it!

pretension definition

pre·ten·sion (prē tens̸hən, pri-)

noun

  1. a pretext or allegation
  2. a claim, as to a right, title, distinction, etc.
  3. assertion of a claim
  4. pretentiousness; ostentation

Etymology: ML praetensio < praetensus: see pretense

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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