PRETENSE


Meaning of PRETENSE in English

— 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.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .