Pretext

Pretext
Pretext Pre"text (?; 277), n. [F. pr['e]texte, L. praetextum, fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, allege as an excuse; prae before + texere to weave. See {Text}.] Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise. [1913 Webster]

They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a pretext of service and kindness. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

With how much or how little pretext of reason. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Pretense; excuse; semblance; disguise; appearance. See {Pretense}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • pretext — PRETÉXT, pretexte, s.n. Motiv (neîntemeiat sau neadevărat) invocat ca justificare a unei acţiuni sau pentru a escamota un motiv real. ♢ loc. conj. Sub pretext că... = pretinzând că... ♦ Impuls, stimulent. – Din fr. prétexte. Trimis de oprocopiuc …   Dicționar Român

  • pretext — I noun affectation, alibi, alleged purpose, alleged reason, camouflage, charade, claim, cover, deception, defense, disguise, evasion, excuse, fabrication, false appearance, false ground, false motive, false pretense, false reason, false show,… …   Law dictionary

  • pretext — (n.) 1510s, from L. praetextum a pretext, originally neuter pp. of praetexere to disguise, cover, from prae in front + texere to weave (Cf. pull the wool over someone s eyes); from PIE root *tek make (see TEXTURE (Cf. texture)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • pretext — excuse, plea, alibi, *apology, apologia Analogous words: ruse, *trick, maneuver, stratagem: *deception: justification, vindication, defending or defense (see corresponding verbs at MAINTAIN) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • pretext — [n] disguise; alleged reason affectation, alibi, appearance, bluff, cleanup, cloak, color*, coloring*, cop out*, cover, cover story*, coverup*, device, excuse, face, feint, fig leaf*, front, guise, mask, masquerade, plea, ploy, pretense, red… …   New thesaurus

  • pretext — ► NOUN ▪ an ostensible or false reason used to justify an action. ORIGIN Latin praetextus outward display , from praetexere to disguise …   English terms dictionary

  • pretext — [prē′tekst΄] n. [L praetextum, neut. of praetextus, pp. of praetexere, to weave before, pretend: see PRE & TEXTURE] 1. a false reason or motive put forth to hide the real one; excuse 2. a cover up; front …   English World dictionary

  • pretext — n. 1) to find a pretext for 2) a flimsy; mere pretext 3) a pretext to + inf. (it was a pretext to occupy more territory) 4) a pretext that + clause (she refused to attend on the pretext that she would be out of town) 5) at, on, under a pretext… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • pretext — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ flimsy ▪ Several schools banned the game on flimsy pretexts. ▪ false ▪ This was a false pretext to attack another country. VERB + PRETEXT ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • Pretext — (Roget s Thesaurus) >Ostensible motive, ground, or reason assigned. < N PARAG:Pretext >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 pretext pretext pretense pretension plea| Sgm: N 1 allegation allegation advocation Sgm: N 1 ostensible motive ostensible motive… …   English dictionary for students

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