How Do You Spell PRETENCES?

Pronunciation: [pɹɪtˈɛnsɪz] (IPA)

The word "pretences" is often spelled with the letter "c" instead of "s", which can lead to confusion among English learners. The phonetic transcription of this word is /prɪˈtɛnsəz/, which shows that the sound "s" is pronounced at the end. However, this word can also be spelled as "pretenses" in American English, which reflects the way it is pronounced in this dialect. Regardless of the spelling, the word means the same thing – false or deceptive claims or appearances.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
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PRETENCES Meaning and Definition

  1. Pretences, a noun in its plural form, refers to the act or state of pretending or making false claims, often to deceive others and hide one's true intentions or identity. It involves the use of fabricated excuses, reasons, or appearances to create a false impression or justification for one's actions or circumstances. Pretences can be deliberate or unintentional, with the former usually being done with conscious intent to deceive or manipulate.

    The concept of pretences is closely related to deception, as it involves presenting oneself or a situation in a way that is misleading, misrepresentative, or false. Pretences can be employed in various contexts, such as personal relationships, professional settings, or legal matters, with the aim of obtaining advantages, evading responsibilities, or achieving personal gain at the expense of others.

    Examples of pretences can include a person pretending to be someone else, forging documents or evidence, or creating false identities online. Pretences can also be used as a defense mechanism when individuals feel the need to protect themselves from certain situations or consequences. In the legal realm, pretences may involve presenting false evidence, providing misleading testimonies, or manipulating facts to achieve a desired outcome.

    Overall, the term "pretences" refers to the deliberate or unintentional act of pretending or making false claims with the purpose of deceiving others and hiding one's true intentions or identity.

Common Misspellings for PRETENCES

Etymology of PRETENCES

The word pretences is derived from the Middle English word pretense, which comes from the Old French word pretense meaning intention, claim, insinuation. This, in turn, originates from the Latin word praetensus, the past participle of praetendere, which means to pretend or to allege falsely.

Idioms with the word PRETENCES

  • under false pretences Under false pretences means dishonestly or deceitfully, often using a fake identity or misleading information in order to achieve a certain goal or gain an advantage.
  • by/on/under false pretences Under the false pretense means dishonestly or with intent to deceive someone.