- pre|tend
- pre|tend «prih TEHND», verb, adjective.–v.t.1. to claim falsely: »
She pretended to like the meal so she wouldn't offend the hostess.
2. to claim falsely to have: »to pretend illness.
3. to claim: »I don't pretend to be a musician. Speak in honest language and say the minority will be in danger from the majority. And is there an assembly on earth where this danger may not be equally pretended? (Thomas Jefferson).
4. to make believe: »Let's pretend that we are soldiers.
6. Obsolete. to extend or hold (something) in front of or over, as for concealment or defense.–v.i.1. to make believe: »Kittens are not fighting when they cuff each other; they're only pretending.
2. to lay claim: »James Stuart pretended to the English throne.
3. to make pretensions (to): »a square white house pretending neither to beauty nor state (Mrs. Humphry Ward).
4. to aspire (to), as a candidate or suitor: »A…fellow…might pretend surely to his kinswoman's hand (Thackeray).
–adj.pretended; feigned: »It is a pretend meal this evening, with nothing whatever on the table (James M. Barrie).
╂[< Latin praetendere < prae- before + tendere to stretch]Synonym Study transitive verb. 1, 2 Pretend, affect, assume mean to give a false impression by word, manner, or deed. Pretend implies a conscious intent to deceive: »She pretends ignorance of the whole affair.
Affect suggests using a false manner, more for effect than to deceive: »When she applied for a job, she affected simplicity.
Assume suggests putting on an appearance which, though not really genuine, is not wholly false: »She assumed a cheerful manner despite the upsetting news.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
