PRETEND', verb transitive [Latin proetendo; proe, before, and tendo, to tend, to reach or stretch.] 1. Literally, to reach or stretch forward; used by Dryden, but this use is not well authorized. 2. To hold out, as a false appearance; to offer something feigned instead of that which is real; to simulate, in words or actions. This let him know, Lest willfully transgressing, he pretend Surprisal. 3. To show hypocritically; as, to pretend great zeal when the heart is not engaged; to pretend patriotism for the sake of gaining popular applause or obtaining an office. 4. To exhibit as a cover for something hidden. Lest that too heavenly form, pretended To hellish falsehood, snare them. [Not in use.] 5. To claim. Chiefs shall be grudg'd the part which they pretend [In this we generally use pretend to.] 6. To intend; to design. [Not used.] PRETEND', verb transitive To put in a claim, truly or falsely; to hold out the appearance of being, possessing or performing. A man may pretend to be a physician, and pretend to perform great cures. Bad men often pretend to be patriots.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI