[pre.tense] or pre.tence n [ME, fr. MF pretensse, fr. (assumed) ML praetensa, fr. LL, fem. of praetensus, pp. of L praetendere] (15c) 1: a claim made or implied; esp: one not supported by fact
2. a: mere ostentation: pretentiousness "confuse dignity with pomposity and ~ --Bennett Cerf" b: a pretentious act or assertion
3: an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or quality
4: professed rather than real intention or purpose: pretext "was there under false ~s"
5: make-believe, fiction
6: false show: simulation "saw through his ~ of indifference"