Category:Pretend

Pre*tend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pretended; p. pr. & vb. n. Pretending.] Etym: [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. ]

1. To lay a claim to; to allege a title to; to claim. Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend. Dryden.

2. To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for Something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden. [r.] Lest that too heavenly form, pretended to hellish falsehood, snare Them. Milton.

3. 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. This let him know, lest, willfully transgressing, he pretend Surprisal. Milton.

4. To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt. [obs.] Such as shall pretend malicious practices against his state. Shak.

5. To hold before one; to extend. [obs.] "his target always over her Pretended." Spenser.

Pretend Pre*tend", v. i.

1. 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. For to what fine he would anon pretend, that know i well. Chaucer.

2. 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.