Part 516

Each [kind of knowledge] presupposes many necessary things learned in other sciences, and known beforehand.

Hooker.

Pre*sup`po*si"tion (?), n. [Pref. pre- + supposition: cf. F. prÈsupposition.] 1. The act of presupposing; an antecedent implication; presumption.

2. That which is presupposed; a previous supposition or surmise.

Pre`sur*mise" (?), n. A surmise previously formed. Shak.

Pre`sys*tol"ic (?), a. (Physiol.) Preceding the systole or contraction of the heart; as, the presystolic friction sound.

Pre*tem"po*ral (?), a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the temporal bone.

Pre*tence" (?), n., Pre*tence"ful, a., Pre*tence"*less, a. See Pretense, Pretenseful, Pretenseless.

Pre*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pretended; p. pr. & vb. n. Pretending.] [OE. pretenden to lay claim to, F. prÈtendre, L. praetendere, praetentum, to stretch forward, pretend, simulate, assert; prae before + tendere to stretch. See Tend, v. t. ] 1. To lay a claim to; to allege a title to; to claim.

Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend.

Dryden.

2. To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden. [R.]

Lest that too heavenly form, pretended To hellish falsehood, snare them.

Milton.

3. To hold out, or represent, falsely; to put forward, or offer, as true or real (something untrue or unreal); to show hypocritically, or for the purpose of deceiving; to simulate; to feign; as, to pretend friendship.

This let him know, Lest, willfully transgressing, he pretend Surprisal.

Milton.

4. To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt. [Obs.]

Such as shall pretend Malicious practices against his state.

Shak.

5. To hold before one; to extend. [Obs.] "His target always over her pretended." Spenser.

Pre*tend", v. i. 1. To put in, or make, a claim, truly or falsely; to allege a title; to lay claim to, or strive after, something; -- usually with to. "Countries that pretend to freedom." Swift.

For to what fine he would anon pretend, That know I well.

Chaucer.

2. To hold out the appearance of being, possessing, or performing; to profess; to make believe; to feign; to sham; as, to pretend to be asleep. " pretended to drink the waters." Macaulay.

Pre*tend"ant (?), n. A pretender; a claimant.

Pre*tend"ed, a. Making a false appearance; unreal; false; as, pretended friend. -- Pre*tend"ed*ly, adv.

Pre*tend"ence (?), n. The act of pretending; pretense. [Obs.] Daniel.