—v.
1 tr. claim or assert falsely so as to deceive (pretend knowledge; pretended that they were foreigners).
2 tr. imagine to oneself in play (pretended to be monsters; pretended it was night).
3 tr. a profess, esp. falsely or extravagantly (does not pretend to be a scholar). b (as pretended adj.) falsely claim to be such (a pretended friend).
4 intr. (foll. by to) a lay claim to (a right or title etc.). b profess to have (a quality etc.).
—adj. colloq. pretended; in pretence (pretend money).
Etymology: ME f. F preacutetendre or f. L (as PRAE-, tendere tent-, later tens- stretch)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.