prætence

plural prætences

1. countableobsoleteuncountableObsolete spelling of pretence.

   But thinke with thy ſelfe, will theſe diſtinctions, prætences & qualifications ſatisfie my conſcience hereafter in the day of trial?

   1614, Daniell Dyke, “Of Two Other Deceitfull Excuses of Sinne, and the Vse of the Whole”, in The Mystery of Selfe-Deceiuing. Or A Discourse and Discouery of the Deceitfullnesse of Mans Heart, London: […] Edvvard Griffin, for Ralph Mab, page 166

   2 more examples

   VVhich if it were ſo, then would there not bee ſo many vpſtart Rabulæ Forenſes, which vnder a prætence of Lawe, become altogeather lawleſſe, to the continuall moleſtation of ignoraunt men, and generall ouercharging of the countrey, with an ouerflowing multitude of ſeditious cauyllers:[…]

   1588, Abraham Fraunce, “To the Learned Lawyers of England, Especially the Gentlemen of Grays Inne”, in The Lawiers Logike, Exemplifying the Præcepts of Logike by the Practise of the Common Lawe, London: […] William How

   […]; from whence the French, taking an occaſion of jealouſie, and being troubled about Philipsburg, upon prætence of an intercepted Treaty between the Prince Elector of Heydelbergh and His Imperial Majeſty, drew their Troops together out of Alſatia, under the Marquis du Vaubrun, and out of Lorrain under the Marquis de Rochefort:[…]

   1675, The Netherland-Historian, […], Amsterdam: […] Stephen Swart, page 391