I. pre·ten·sion noun
also pre·ten·tion prēˈtenchən, prə̇ˈ-
( -s )
Etymology: pretension from Medieval Latin praetension-, praetensio, from Late Latin praetensus (Latin praetentus ) (past participle of Latin praetendere to stretch forth, spread before, bring forward as an excuse, allege) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion; pretention from Medieval Latin praetention-, praetentio, from Latin praetentus (past participle of praetendere ) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at pretend
1. : an assertion or declaration whose truth is questioned : an allegation of doubtful value : pretext
this was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards — Francis Bacon
2. : a claim or an effort to establish a claim : formal demand for recognition of a title, right, or privilege
pretension to the throne
3. : a tacit, asserted, or obvious claim, right, or title : claim to attention, consideration, or honor because of real or alleged superiority, merit, or ability
country estate of some pretensions
people of pretension to taste and culture
4. : aspiration , intention
serious pretensions as a writer
5. : pretentiousness , vanity
a quality of pretension and pseudoculture about the program that I found distasteful — Philip Hamburger
the class which has the pretensions and prejudices and habits of the rich without its money — G.B.Shaw
II. pre·tension (ˈ)prē+ transitive verb
Etymology: pre- + tension
: to prestress (reinforced concrete) by subjecting the steel reinforcement to tension before the concrete hardens