Verb

To establish the identity of someone or something.

*

(biology) To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.

*

To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.

* D. Ramsay

Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.

* Burke

Let us identify , let us incorporate ourselves with the people.

(reflexive) To have a strong affinity (with); to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.

* 1999 , Joyce Crick, translating Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams , Oxford 2008, p. 117:

The dream is given a new interpretation if in her dream she means not herself but her friend, if she has put herself in the place of her friend, or, as we may say, she has identified herself with her.

To associate oneself with some group.

*

To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.

* {{quote-magazine

, year=2010 , author= , title=Youth Who Self-Identify as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual at Higher Suicide Risk, Say Researchers , date=Feb. 6, 2010 , magazine=Science Daily citation , passage="The main message is that it's the interface between individuals and society that causes students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual the most distress," said study first author Yue Zhao. }}

Verb

(en verb)

To claim, allege, especially when falsely or as a form of deliberate deception.

* 1749 , (Henry Fielding), Tom Jones , XVIII.23:

*:"After what past at Upton, so soon to engage in a new amour with another woman, while I fancied, and you pretended , your heart was bleeding for me!"

*{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=5 citation , passage=‘It's rather like a beautiful Inverness cloak one has inherited. Much too good to hide away, so one wears it instead of an overcoat and pretends it's an amusing new fashion.’}}

* 2009 , "Vanity publishing", The Economist , 13 Apr 2009:

I have nothing but contempt for people who hire ghost-writers. But at least most faux authors have the decency to pretend that they are sweating blood over "their" book.

To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).

* Milton

This let him know, / Lest, willfully transgressing, he pretend / Surprisal.

* 2007 , The Guardian , 29 Oct 2007:

Gap and other clothes manufacturers should stop using small subcontractors because they are difficult to control. Instead, they should open up their own fully-owned production facilities so that they cannot pretend ignorance when abuses are committed.

To lay claim (to) (an ability, status, advantage, etc.). (originally used without to )

* Dryden

Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend .

* 1946 , (Bertrand Russell), History of Western Philosophy , I.25:

People observed the diversity of schools and the acerbity of their disputes, and decided that all alike were pretending to knowledge which was in fact unattainable.

To make oneself appear (to) do or be doing something; to engage in make-believe.

* 1814 , (Jane Austen), Mansfield Park :

*:"The truth is, Ma'am," said Mrs. Grant, pretending to whisper across the table to Mrs. Norris, "that Dr. Grant hardly knows what the natural taste of our apricot is [...]."

* 2003 , Duncan Campbell, The Guardian , 23 Jan 2003:

Luster claimed that the women had consented to sex and were only pretending to be asleep.

(obsolete) To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.

* Milton

Lest that too heavenly form, pretended / To hellish falsehood, snare them.

(obsolete) To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt.

* Shakespeare

Such as shall pretend / Malicious practices against his state.

(obsolete) To hold before one; to extend.

*1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , VI.11:

*:Pastorella […] Was by the Captaine all this while defended, / Who, minding more her safety then himselfe, / His target alwayes over her pretended […].