[prɪˈtɛns], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true
(e.g: his anger is masked by a pretence that all is well)

- a claim to have a particular skill or quality
(e.g: he was quick to disclaim any pretence to superiority)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pretense, based on medieval Latin pretensus ‘pretended’, alteration of Latin praetentus, from the verb praetendere (see pretend)