Both Uses of
pretense
in
Going After Cacciato
- First the belly, a release of fluids in the bowels, a shitting feeling, a draining of all the pretensions and silly little hopes for himself.†
Chpt 1pretensions = appearances or actions to help one pretend
- "No waffling," he said. "…. Tonight we do it right." ...
Oscar took the rifle from its blanket and carried it openly, patrol-style, the barrel off to one side. No more pretense.Chpt 46 *
Definition:
a false appearance or action to help one pretend
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.