Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PRETEND
I. verb see: thin
Date: 15th century
transitive verb to give a false appearance of being, possessing, or performing ,
2. to make believe ; feign , to claim, represent, or assert falsely , venture , undertake , intransitive verb to feign an action, part, or role especially in play, to put in a claim , see: assume
II. adjective
Date: 1911
imaginary , make-believe , not genuine ; mock , being a nonfunctional imitation