pretension

Etymology 1

From Middle English pretencioun, pretensioun, from Medieval Latin prētensio.

noun

1. A claim or aspiration to a particular status or quality.
   As a foreign stamp gazette it is nowhere. An article on Stamp Collecting, by J. E. Gray, “reprinted from one of his books,” and a catalogue of stamps constitute its sole attraction. We are surprised to find such sounding pretentions so poorly supported. 1872, “Reviews of Postal Publications”, in The Stamp-Collector's Magazine, volume 10, page 110
2. Pretentiousness.

Etymology 2

pre- + tension

verb

1. To apply tension to an object before some other event or process.
2. (construction) To apply tension to reinforcing strands before concrete is poured in.
   Coordinate term: posttension