pretend

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | 700+ words | Copyright

pre·tend / priˈtend/ • v. 1. speak and act so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not: I closed my eyes and pretended I was asleep she turned the pages and pretended to read. ∎ engage in a game or fantasy that involves supposing something that is not the case to be so: children pretending to be grownups. ∎ [tr.] give the appearance of feeling or possessing (an emotion or quality); simulate: she pretended a greater surprise than she felt. 2. [intr.] (pretend to) lay claim to (a quality or title): he cannot pretend to sophistication. • adj. inf. not really what it is represented as being; used in a game or deception: the children are pouring out pretend tea for the dolls.

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"pretend." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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