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prétendu

so-called, supposed

adjective preh-tahn-DÜ Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Origin: Latin 'praetendere' (to put forward as a pretext)

Also means

alleged

Usage Note

Prétendu placed before the noun signals scepticism or irony: son prétendu ami (his so-called friend). After the verb être it means 'alleged' or 'claimed': ce fait est prétendu inexact. The feminine is prétendue. It is distinct from prétend (he/she claims), though both derive from prétendre.

Examples

"Son prétendu expert ne connaissait rien au sujet."

Natural Translation

His so-called expert knew nothing about the subject.

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