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.
the town still puts forward pretensions as a famous resort
his pretension to the crown
pre-teen
pretend
pretended
pretender
pretense
pretension
pretentious
preter-
preterhuman
preterist
preterite
