\Pre*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pretended}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pretending}.] [OE. pretenden to lay claim to, F.
pr['e]tendre, L. praetendere, praetentum, to stretch forward,
pretend, simulate, assert; prae before + tendere to stretch.
See {Tend}, v. t. ]
1. To lay a claim to; to allege a title to; to claim.
         Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend.
                                               --Dryden.
2. To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for
   something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.
   [R.]
         Lest that too heavenly form, pretended To hellish
         falsehood, snare them.                --Milton.
3. To hold out, or represent, falsely; to put forward, or
   offer, as true or real (something untrue or unreal); to
   show hypocritically, or for the purpose of deceiving; to
   simulate; to feign; as, to pretend friendship.
         This let him know, Lest, willfully transgressing, he
         pretend Surprisal.                    --Milton.
4. To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt. [Obs.]
         Such as shall pretend Malicious practices against
         his state.                            --Shak.
5. To hold before one; to extend. [Obs.] ``His target always
   over her pretended.'' --Spenser.

\Pre*tend"\, v. i.
1. To put in, or make, a claim, truly or falsely; to allege a
   title; to lay claim to, or strive after, something; --
   usually with to. ``Countries that pretend to freedom.''
   --Swift.
         For to what fine he would anon pretend, That know I
         well.                                 --Chaucer.
2. To hold out the appearance of being, possessing, or
   performing; to profess; to make believe; to feign; to
   sham; as, to pretend to be asleep. ``[He] pretended to
   drink the waters.'' --Macaulay.