Pre*ten"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. pr'etention. See Pretend, Tension.]

1.

The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of asserting right or title.

The arrogant pretensions of Glengarry contributed to protract the discussion. Macaulay.

2.

A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship.

This was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards. Bacon.

Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions. L'Estrange.

 

© Webster 1913.