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pretension, n.1|prɪˈtɛnʃən|
Also 7–9 pretention.
[app. ad. med.L. prætensio (c 1150 in Thomas Thes. Nov. Lat.), n. of action f. prætendĕre to pretend, also med.L. prætentio (1100 in Du Cange), F. prétention (in 16th c. rarely pretension, Godef.).]
The action of pretending.
1. An allegation or assertion the truth of which is not proved or admitted; often with an implication that it is unfounded or false, or put forth to deceive, or to provide a false excuse or ground; hence, a pretext, pretence.
1609Daniel Civ. Wars viii. lxi, And then, with what pretentions he might hide His priuat comming, and his oft resort. 1624Bacon Consid. War w. Spain Wks. 1879 I. 538/1 It was afterwards alleged, that the duke of Parma did artificially delay his coming; but this was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards. 1722De Foe Plague (1754) 11 The same thing..was the strongest Repulse to my Pretensions of losing my Trade and my Goods. 1773Johnson Let. to Mrs. Thrale 21 Sept., The only things of which we, or travellers yet more delicate, could find any pretensions to complain. 1791J. Learmont Poems 113, I winnae gang For nae pretension or prayer. a1894Stevenson Foreigner at Home (Cent.), Miss Bird..declares all the viands of Japan to be uneatable—a staggering pretension.
2. The assertion of a claim as of right; a claim put forth, a demand.
1600E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 60 By reason of his pretention to the Crowne. 1660R. Coke Power & Subj. 221 Nor can there be any question or process about the state or pretensions of the King, but in his Courts. 1700Dryden Ajax & Ulysses 550 All these had been my rivals in the shield, And yet all these to my pretensions yield. 1748Chesterfield Lett. (1774) I. cxxi. 297 The pretensions also of France, and the House of Austria, upon Naples. 1856Stanley Sinai & Pal. i. (1858) 39 Jebel Mûsa is now the only one [of the peaks] which puts forward any pretensions to be considered as the place. 1877Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. i. x. 108 Ecclesiastical pretensions were still formidable under the Tudors.
b. A rightful or justifiable claim, a title.
1710Steele Tatler No. 207 ⁋3 The Courtier, the Trader, and the Scholar, should all have an equal Pretension to the Denomination of a Gentleman. a1805Paley Serm. x. (1810) 163 An opinion of merit is discouraged, even in those who had the best pretensions to entertain it; if any pretensions were good. 1822P. Henry in Priv. Corr. H. Clay (1855) 67 He has pretensions [to the Presidency] in every respect—a man of business..—an elegant scholar.
3. The assertion or claim that one is or has something; profession. Also of things. Const. to.
1662Evelyn Chalcogr. 23 Some pretensions to the Invention of Copper-cuts, and their Impressions. 1718Freethinker No. 66 ⁋2, I..have little or no Pretensions to Beauty. 1754Richardson Grandison (1781) II. xxxiv. 323 Sir Charles Grandison, without making an ostentatious pretension to religion, is the very Christian in practice. 1877Freeman Norm. Conq. (ed. 3) II. viii. 197 A mediæval castle and a house..of no great pretensions. 1884Swinburne Misc. (1886) 23 It would be but too easy a task to..prove by the avowal of his own pretentions that he can pretend to the credit of no such imbecility.
b. The unwarranted assumption of a quality, esp. of merit or dignity; pretentiousness, ostentation.
1727Pope Epitaph R. Digby 4 Good without noise, without pretension great. 1837Emerson Addr., Amer. Schol. Wks. (Bohn) II. 184 The world is his, who can see through its pretension. 1856― Eng. Traits, Manners ibid. 50 They avoid pretension, and go right to the heart of the thing. 1869W. P. Mackay Grace & Truth (1875) 95 This day of self-seeking and pretensions!
†4. An intention, a design; aim, aspiration.
1620E. Blount Horæ Subs. 155 In seeking a new fortune, lose their old, and so conuert their substance into pretensions, their certainty into nothing. 1714Lady M. W. Montagu Lett., to W. Montagu (1887) I. 96 They are always looked upon, either as neglected, or discontented because their pretensions have failed. 1782F. Burney Cecilia ii. vi, Acquaint me, then, freely, what are the pretensions of these gentlemen [to Cecilia's hand]?
Hence preˈtensional, † -tional a., of, pertaining to, or of the nature of pretension; preˈtensionless a., without pretensions, unpretending.
1659Heylin Examen Hist. ii. 98 Hitherto his intents were reall, not pretentionall only. 1828Blackw. Mag. XXIII. 751 It would..be..unjust to throw the slightest slur or stigma on the pretensionless character of a crowd of humble and high individuals. 1831Crayons fr. Commons 10 A steady grave deliberative man, Pretensionless in manner, air, and tone. |