pre|tend

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.

5. to venture; attempt; presume: »

I cannot pretend to judge between them.

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.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • pre|tend´ed|ly — pre|tend|ed «prih TEHN dihd», adjective. 1. claimed falsely; asserted falsely. 2. fictitious; counterfeit; feigned. –pre|tend´ed|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • pre|tend|ed — «prih TEHN dihd», adjective. 1. claimed falsely; asserted falsely. 2. fictitious; counterfeit; feigned. –pre|tend´ed|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • pre|tend|er — «prih TEHN duhr», noun. 1. a person who pretends. 2. a person who lays claim, especially falsely, to a title or throne …   Useful english dictionary

  • pre·tend·er — /prıˈtɛndɚ/ noun, pl ers [count] : someone who claims to have the right to a particular title or position (such as king or queen) when others do not agree usually + to a pretender to the throne …   Useful english dictionary

  • un´pre|tend´ing|ly — un|pre|tend|ing «UHN prih TEHN dihng», adjective. = unpretentious. (Cf. ↑unpretentious) –un´pre|tend´ing|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • un|pre|tend|ing — «UHN prih TEHN dihng», adjective. = unpretentious. (Cf. ↑unpretentious) –un´pre|tend´ing|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • pre — pre·abdomen; pre·acanthella; pre·adamitism; pre·adapt; pre·adaptation; pre·adaptive; pre·admission; pre·adolescence; pre·adult; pre·agonal; pre·am·bu·lar; pre·am·bu·late; pre·amp; pre·amplifier; pre·animism; pre·apprehension; pre·arrange;… …   English syllables

  • tend — am·bi·tend·en·cy; at·tend; at·tend·ance; at·tend·ee; back·tend·er; bar·tend; bar·tend·er; con·tend; con·tend·er; con·ver·tend; dis·tend; ex·tend; ex·tend·er; ex·tend·ibil·i·ty; ex·tend·ible; in·tend; in·tend·ance; in·tend·an·cy; in·tend·ant;… …   English syllables

  • pré- — ♦ Élément, du lat. prae « devant, en avant », marquant l antériorité dans le temps (préavis, préconçu, préhistoire, préscolaire), ou dans l espace (préoral, Préalpes). ⊗ CONTR. Post . ● pré Préfixe, du latin prae, devant, indiquant l antériorité… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Pre-health sciences — refers to the undergraduate courses to prepare American college students for admission in veterinary, medical, optometry, dentistry, pharmacy, and physical therapy schools, and for training as a physician assistant. In the United States, colleges …   Wikipedia

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