pretenses

Pretense, or pretence in British English, refers to a false display or claim designed to create a misleading impression. As a noun, it can denote a feigned attitude, a claim of right or status, or the act of presenting something as true when it is not. As a verb, the related term is to pretend; the noun forms are pretense (American) or pretence (British).

The plural forms pretenses (American) or pretences (British) refer to multiple instances of such acts or claims. These terms are used to describe both deliberate deception and the broader social act of putting up a façade to appear a certain way.

Etymology: the word derives from Old French pretence, from Latin praetensus 'held forth, claimed', via medieval Latin praetendere. The spellings diverged in the two major varieties of English.

Legal usage: in law, the phrase under false pretenses describes obtaining property, money, or consent by deception. This is a common standard for prosecuting fraud or misrepresentation, reflecting the idea that the act of deception undermines legitimate transactions.

Social usage: in everyday life, people may engage in pretenses to maintain social appearances, conceal weaknesses, or avoid conflict. The concept is central to discussions of authenticity, social performance, and the difference between outward behavior and inward truth.

Related terms: pretence/pretense can also refer to an ostentatious claim to importance (pretension) or simply the act of pretending, with nuances depending on context. In literature and culture, pretenses often serve to explore identity, power dynamics, and the gap between appearance and reality.