GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   { Pretense, Pretence  } , n. [LL. praetensus, for L. praetentus, p. p. of praetendere. See Pretend, and cf. Tension.]
   The act of laying claim; the claim laid; assumption; pretension.
   Spenser.
   
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   Primogeniture can not have any pretense to a right of solely inheriting property or power.
   Locke.
   
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   I went to Lambeth with Sir R. Brown's pretense to the wardenship of Merton College, Oxford.
   Evelyn.
   
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   The act of holding out, or offering, to others something false or feigned; presentation of what is deceptive or hypocritical; deception by showing what is unreal and concealing what is real; false show; simulation; as, pretense of illness; under pretense of patriotism; on pretense of revenging Cæsar's death.
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   That which is pretended; false, deceptive, or hypocritical show, argument, or reason; pretext; feint.
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   Let not the Trojans, with a feigned pretense
   Of proffered peace, delude the Latian prince.
   Dryden.
   
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   Intention; design. [Obs.]
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   A very pretense and purpose of unkindness.
   Shak.
   
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   ☞ See the Note under Offense.
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   Syn. -- Mask; appearance; color; show; pretext; excuse.  -- Pretense, Pretext. A pretense is something held out as real when it is not so, thus falsifying the truth. A pretext is something woven up in order to cover or conceal one's true motives, feelings, or reasons. Pretext is often, but not always, used in a bad sense.
   1913 Webster