Pretender
[prɪ'tendə] or [prɪ'tɛndɚ]
Definition
(noun.) a claimant to the throne or to the office of ruler (usually without just title).
Edited by ELLA--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) One who lays claim, or asserts a title (to something); a claimant.
(n.) The pretender (Eng. Hist.), the son or the grandson of James II., the heir of the royal family of Stuart, who laid claim to the throne of Great Britain, from which the house was excluded by law.
(n.) One who pretends, simulates, or feigns.
Typed by Damian
Examples
- They saw one upstart pretender to empire succeed another with complete indifference. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He would have none but a tip-top college man to educate him--none of your quacks and pretenders--no, no. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Editor: Mary