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v. pre·tend·ed, pre·tend·ing, pre·tends v.tr. 1. To give a false appearance of; feign: "You had to pretend conformity while privately pursuing high and dangerous nonconformism" (Anthony Burgess). 2. To claim or allege insincerely or falsely: doesn't pretend to be an expert. 3. To represent fictitiously in play; make believe: pretended they were on a cruise. 4. To take upon oneself; venture: I cannot pretend to say that you are wrong. v.intr. 1. To feign an action or character, as in play. 2. To lay claim: pretends to gourmet tastes. adj. Informal Imitation; make-believe: pretend money; pretend pearls. [Middle English pretenden, from Old French pretendre, from Latin praetendere : prae-, pre- + tendere, to extend; see ten- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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