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pretext

pre·text

UK/ˈpɹiːtɛkst/ US/ˈpriˌtɛkst/ uncommon

noun

1.

something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

Synonyms
2.

an artful or simulated semblance

  • “under the guise of friendship he betrayed them”
Synonyms

Origin

From Latin praetextum (“an ornament, etc., wrought in front, a pretense”), neuter of praetextus, past participle of praetexere (“to weave before, fringe or border, allege”).

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.