— pretenseful , adj. — pretenseless , adj.
/pri tens", pree"tens/ , n.
1. pretending or feigning; make-believe: My sleepiness was all pretense.
2. a false show of something: a pretense of friendship.
3. a piece of make-believe.
4. the act of pretending or alleging falsely.
5. a false allegation or justification: He excused himself from the lunch on a pretense of urgent business.
6. insincere or false profession: His pious words were mere pretense.
7. the putting forth of an unwarranted claim.
8. the claim itself.
9. any allegation or claim: to obtain money under false pretenses.
10. pretension (usually fol. by to ): destitute of any pretense to wit.
11. pretentiousness.
Also, esp. Brit., pretence .
[ 1375-1425; late ME praetensa, n. use of fem. of praetensus, ptp. (r. L praetentus ) of praetendere to PRETEND ]
Syn. 1. shamming. 2. semblance. 3. mask, veil.