\Ob*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Obtended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Obtending}.] [L. obtendere, obtentum, to stretch or place before or against; ob (see {Ob-}) + tendere to stretch.] 1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition. [Obs.] --Dryden. 2. To offer as the reason of anything; to pretend. [Obs.] --Dryden