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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pretence, Pretens(e, n. Also: prae- and -tinse, -tinnis; pertence. [Late ME and e.m.E. pretense (1425), pretence (1495), late AF pretensse (c 1471 in Godef.), f. med. L. pretens-, for class. L. prætent-, p.p. stem of L. prætendere, Pretend v.]

1. a. A showing forth of oneself, one's outward presentation of oneself, a ‘front’. b. ? The dignity or respect one lays claim to, one's professed status. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2918 (Bann.).
A fals intent vndir a fare pretence [C. presence] Id. III 142/54.
He hes ane dowbill face, Ane bludy tung, vndir a fair pretence [M. presance] 1567 Sat. P. iv 39.
My princelie pretence began to decay

2. Assertion of a claim to authority or privilege used as a justification of some action; chief a false profession of this sort serving as a cloak to nefarious action, a ‘cover’. 1532 Treas. Acc. VI 111.
Lettrez … chargeing the wardanis … to mak na incursionis throw pretense of ane command 1543 Acts II 431/2.
The said peace was proclamit bayth in Ingland and Scotland and throw pretence tharof the merchandis of Scotland put thair schippis … to the see 1555 Conv. Burghs I 11.
Be fre men … culloring vnfremenis geir, vnder the pretence of thair libertie 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 171/28. 1563 Acts II 544/1.
And of the … taking of gudis had throw culloure and pretence of the saidis letters of marque 1564–5 Reg. Privy C. I 318.
Certane oppressionis committit upoun him undir pretence of justice 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 25.
Under pretens of the quenis authoritie a1578 Pitsc. I 19/4.
Pretence 1582 Declar. Causis 5.
Clething thame with the pretence of the K. Hienes name and kinrent 1585 Reg. Privy C. IV 29.
Yit taking on theme ane ypocriticall clok and pretens of relligioun, alluring … dissolute youthis 1589 Conv. Burghs I 303. 1649 Comm. Gen. Assembly II 249.
Envyous underminers … doe spend … their witts … vnder specious pretences of the publick to extermine ws 1650 Glasgow Wrights Acts 9.
Any debt contractit … in name or pretence of the crofts weill 1687 Lauder Notices Affairs II 812.
Under pretence that he got the mysterie of it

b. Justification (real or feigned) for an action, a pretext. 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 12.
I sall never … consent to the … power of the Antichriste of Romme, be ony maner of pretens Ib. 15.
Praetens 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 246.
On pretense of dayis of law 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 22.
Upone quhatsumever pretence 1687 Old Ross-shire II 69.
Rather then to alow him a pretinse to injur me

c. ? Improper or fraudulent validation of unlicensed goods. 1555 Conv. Burghs I 11.
Gif thai … obstenatlie … vsis pretence and cullour with thair markis … the persone … sall [etc.]

3. Claim or aspiration to a possession, right, privilege. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 25.
Sic men as hes na pretens of successioun to the croun nor ony hoip of proffeit 1637 Lennoxlove MS (The Duke of Hamilton) C1/10086.
The pretences of my Lord Crumwell shall not longer hinder the passinge of my graunt 1680 Conv. Burghs IV 21.
Upon pretence their merchands should sell no cairds bot these that are made in the said manufactorie 1686 Fraser P. 160.
Be the tolleratione … of the said David Stewart upon pertence of propertie belonging to him 1690 Acts IX 211/1.
Never any of them … had any infeftment or pretence of heretage in the land

4. Purpose, design, intention. Also plur. 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 7.
Or ony uthir caus praetendit upoun religioun or persewit under praetens of the samyn 1559 Q. Kennedy in Misc. Wodrow Soc. 276.
And all thys by [= in addition to] my pretense I haif wryttin Id. Oratioune in Knox VI 158.
That we ma … fulfill this our godlie pretense and purpose a1568 Scott xii 19.
Gif diligens In ȝour presens Schaw my pretens So tak me; Gif negligens [etc.] ?c 1570 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 62.
Declaring to her that the whole prætence wes for the suppressing of idolatrie a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cii 37.
Not that God dois bring On ws sic violence For ane dyuers pretence 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 24.
Pretens a1578 Pitsc. I 263/8.
The king conteinued … thair … but battell and no pretinnis of the sam 1587-99 Hume 21/144.
Lord prosper my pretence c1600 Montg. Suppl. ix 51.
Sen euer in ȝow is my pretens 16.. Herries Mem. 7.
His pretence was aganist the cardinallplur. 1572 Sempill Sat. P. xxx 180.
Ȝit did the Phelistims faill of thair pretences 1573 Id. Ib. xxxix 279.
Thow beand plantit in the sait of prencis, Geue thow wald prosper in thy iust pretencis, Beir equall ballanis baith to riche and puir 1584 Reg. Privy C. III 664.
[Thinking it meet] to obviat and repres thair fetchis and treasounable pretenssis

5. A presumptuous or excessive claim, purpose, design or attempt. 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 93.
That as his pretensis began to be heichar, sa fand we [etc.] 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 32.
Be the quhilk … conspiracies … ȝe may understand the Hamiltonis pretensis this lvij ȝeris and mair 1570 Sat. P. xx 79.
Thair proude pretence, throw negligence, Will be maist dangerous Ib. xxiv 29.
Caryit by thy sensis Throw sorcerie and vther vain pretensis c1590 Fowler I 69/70.
My ladie … did lett his high pretence 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 156/6.
From Edens both, chas'd Adams selfe and seede for his pretense Id. Basil. Doron 55/10.
In attaining … to his ambitiouse prætensis c1610 Melville Mem. 43.
Desyrous bring till pas many hyche pretencis and far fetchis