I. To feel, search, or grope out beforehand, to examine previously, to estimate beforehand, anticipate (mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose): “praetentare baculo, luminis orbus, iter,” Ov. Ib. 262: “praetentat manu silvas,” id. M. 14, 189: “praetentat pollice chordas,” id. ib. 5, 339: “pedibus praetentat iter,” Tib. 2, 1, 77: “cochleae corniculis praetentant iter,” Plin. 9, 32, 51, § 101: “sinum,” Suet. Aug. 35: “culcitis et stragulis praetentatis et excussis,” id. Claud. 35: “fato pericula vestra praetentate meo,” Luc. 9, 397.—
B. Trop., to test or try beforehand: “vires,” Ov. M. 8, 7: “judicis misericordiam,” Quint. 4, 1, 28.—
II. To hold before one's self: “praetentat pallia laevā,” Claud. B. Gild. 438.—
B. Trop., to make a pretext of: “impia praetentans vulnera,” Val. Fl. 6, 75.
