Pre*ten"sion (?), n. [Cf. F.
prétention. 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.