GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Pretend , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pretended; p. pr. & vb. n. Pretending.] [OE. pretenden to lay claim to, F. prétendre, L. praetendere, praetentum, to stretch forward, pretend, simulate, assert; prae before + tendere to stretch. See Tend, v. t. ]
   To lay a claim to; to allege a title to; to claim.
   1913 Webster
   Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend.
   Dryden.
   
   1913 Webster
   To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden. [R.]
   1913 Webster
   Lest that too heavenly form, pretended
   To hellish falsehood, snare them.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   To hold out, or represent, falsely; to put forward, or offer, as true or real (something untrue or unreal); to show hypocritically, or for the purpose of deceiving; to simulate; to feign; as, to pretend friendship.
   1913 Webster
   This let him know,
   Lest, willfully transgressing, he pretend
   Surprisal.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt. [Obs.]
   1913 Webster
   Such as shall pretend
   Malicious practices against his state.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   To hold before one; to extend. [Obs.] “His target always over her pretended.”  
   Spenser.
   
   1913 Webster
         
       

2.       
   Pretend, v. i.
   To put in, or make, a claim, truly or falsely; to allege a title; to lay claim to, or strive after, something; -- usually with to. “Countries that pretend to freedom.”  
   Swift.
   
   1913 Webster
   For to what fine he would anon pretend,
   That know I well.
   Chaucer.
   
   1913 Webster
   To hold out the appearance of being, possessing, or performing; to profess; to make believe; to feign; to sham; as, to pretend to be asleep.  “[He] pretended to drink the waters.”  
   Macaulay.
   
   1913 Webster