Pre*ten"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. pr'etention. See Pretend, Tension.]
1.
The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of asserting right or title.
The arrogant pretensions of Glengarry contributed to protract the discussion.
Macaulay.
2.
A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship.
This was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards.
Bacon.
Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions.
L'Estrange.
© Webster 1913.