Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - pretence

n. (US pretense) 1 pretending, make-believe. 2 a a pretext or excuse (on the slightest pretence). b a false show of intentions or motives (under the pretence of friendship; under false pretences). 3 (foll. by to) a claim, esp. a false or ambitious one (has no pretence to any great talent). 4 a affectation, display. b pretentiousness, ostentation (stripped of all pretence). Etymology: ME f. AF pretense ult. f. med.L pretensus pretended (as PRETEND)