pretension1
[pri-ten-shuh n]
- the laying of a claim to something.
- a claim or title to something.
- Often pretensions. a claim made, especially indirectly or by implication, to some quality, merit, or the like: They laughed at my pretensions to superior judgment.
- a claim to dignity, importance, or merit.
- pretentiousness.
- the act of pretending or alleging.
- an allegation of doubtful veracity.
- a pretext.
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Origin of pretension1
pretension2
[pree-ten-shuh n]
- (in prestressed-concrete construction) to apply tension to (reinforcing strands) before the concrete is poured.Compare posttension(def 1).
- to make (a concrete member) with pretensioned reinforcement.
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Origin of pretension2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
conceithypocrisysnobberypomposityaspirationpretenseambitionvaingloryshowfakephonyostentationdisguisepretentiousnesssplashaffectationfrontput-oncharadevanityExamples from the Web for pretensions
Contemporary Examples
“People need to get over their pretensions and embrace the Upper East Side,” says Mark Dorosz.
They were remarkable affairs, not in the scale of their pretensions, but in their all-inclusive nature.
Doug Kenney: The Odd Comic Genius Behind ‘Animal House’ and National LampoonRobert Sam Anson
March 1, 2014
So much public sculpture comes off as oversized and overblown – as plop art, with pretensions to grandeur and greatness.
The O contained a whimsical smiley face, a wry, self-deprecating wink at the pretensions of power.
Jim Harrison steps out of that tradition, but with contempt for its pretensions.
Historical Examples
Heyward was not slow to confirm an opinion that was so favorable to his own pretensions.
The Last of the MohicansJames Fenimore Cooper
And if he had, would not there have been an end of all his pretensions and hopes?
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
How widely different the nature and pretensions of thy worshippers!
Gomez AriasJoaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
Or why should the pretensions of the soutar be absolutely trusted?
Salted With FireGeorge MacDonald
What pretensions has he that should entitle him to dream of you, Pauline?
pretension
- (often plural) a false or unsupportable claim, esp to merit, worth, or importance
- a specious or unfounded allegation; pretext
- the state or quality of being pretentious
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for pretensions
pretension
n.
mid-15c., "assertion, allegation; objection; intention; signification," from Medieval Latin pretensionem (nominative praetensio), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin praetendere "stretch in front, put forward, allege" (see pretend (v.)). Meaning "unproven claim" is from c.1600. Sense of "ostentation" is from 1727.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper