pretense
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- pretence (Only correct spelling in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and Commonwealth countries, and historical use in the United States)
- prætense (archaic)
Etymology[edit]
From Middle French pretensse, from Late Latin praetensus, past participle of praetendō (“to pretend”), from prae- (“before”) + tendō (“to stretch”); see pretend.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
pretense (plural pretenses)
- (US) A false or hypocritical profession, as, under pretense of friendliness.
- Intention or purpose not real but professed.
- with only a pretense of accuracy
- An unsupported claim made or implied.
- An insincere attempt to reach a specific condition or quality.
Synonyms[edit]
- affectation denotes deception for the sake of escape from punishment or an awkward situation
- false pretense
- fiction
- imitation
- pretext
- sham
- subterfuge
- See also Wikisaurus:pretext
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
false or hypocritical profession
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External links[edit]
- pretense in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- pretense in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
