Webster's English Dictionary

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pretense

pre.tense or pre.tence \'pre--.ten(t)s, pri-'\ n [ME, fr. MF pretensse, fr. 
   (assumed) ML praetensa, fr. LL, fem. of]praetensus, pp. of L praetendere 1: 
   a claim made or implied; esp : one not supported by fact  2a: mere 
   ostentation : PRETENTIOUSNESS  2b: a pretentious act or assertion  3: an 
   attempt to attain a certain condition or quality  4: professed rather than 
   real intention or purpose : PRETEXT  5: MAKE-BELIEVE, FICTION  6: false 
   show : SIMULATION