Both Uses of
pretense
in
Henry VIII
- Now this follows,— Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy To the old dam, treason,—Charles the Emperor, Under pretence to see the Queen his aunt,— For 'twas indeed his colour, but he came To whisper Wolsey,—here makes visitation.†
Scene 1.1
- the pretence for this is...
Scene 1.2 *pretence = an appearance to help one pretendunconventional spelling: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.
Definition:
-
(pretense) a false appearance or action to help one pretendeditor's notes: This is sometimes seen in the expression "false pretense" or "false pretenses" which is just emphasizing that behavior or actions do not reflect the true situation.