pretend

Meanings

Verb

• To claim, to allege, especially when falsely or as a form of deliberate deception.
• To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).
• To lay claim to (an ability, status, advantage, etc.). (originally used without to)
• To make oneself appear to do or be doing something; to engage in make-believe.
• To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.
• To intend; to design, to plot; to attempt.
• To hold before one; to extend.

Adjective

• Not really what it is represented as being; imaginary, feigned.

Origin

• From Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre ("to claim#Verb")), from Latin praetendere, present active infinitive of praetendō, from prae- + tendō; see [[tend.