Both Uses of
pretense
in
Oryx and Crake
- Or, under pretence of doing their homework, which sometimes they really would do, they would shut themselves up in Crake's room, where they would play computer chess or Three-Dimensionals, or Kwiktime Osama, tossing to see who got Infidels.†
p. 77.1 *unconventional spelling: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.
- Jimmy made a pretence of thinking.†
p. 210.7
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.