Complete Definition of "pretense"

wikipedia|dab=pretense
English
Alternative spellings
pretence (Only correct spelling in the UK)

Pronunciation
audio|en-us-pretense.ogg|Audio (US)

Etymology
From MF. pretensse, from LL. prætensus (past participle of prætendere, præ- + tendere).

Noun
en-noun

  1. US A false or hypocritical profession, as, under pretense of friendliness; sham, pretext, claim; an effort to give some appearance or mislead.

#:without pretense of accuracy

Synonyms
sham a substitution, imitation or counterfeit purporting to be the real thing
affectation denotes deception for the sake of escape from punishment or an awkward situation
subterfuge

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zh:pretense

Revision and Credits for"pretense"
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