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pretences

Diction
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Pretended behavior or false appearances. In modern American English, this spelling is less common than "pretenses."

Detailed Definition
The word refers to outward claims or behaviors meant to mislead others. In the poem, it points to people acting sincere while hiding their real motives. The British spelling can feel slightly literary or old-fashioned to some readers.
Example
Example in poetry:
“No more false pretences, or half-hearted care” condemns insincere appearances; “Under pretence of friendship, he borrowed the key,” shows the noun’s deceptive sense; Dramatic monologues often expose a speaker’s social pretences; A contemporary poem may strip away pretences after loss or protest
Additional Notes
The spelling and meaning in "false pretences" may be unfamiliar to readers used to the more common modern form."; Found in the poem, Plastic Crowns by Richard
Also Known As
facades illusions guises masks
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