pretext : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: pretext	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for pretext
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
pretext n something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason Synonym(s): pretext, stalking-horse an artful or simulated semblance; "under the guise of friendship he betrayed them" Synonym(s): guise, pretense, pretence, pretext
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Pretext \Pre"text\ (?; 277), n. [F. pr[82]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. They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a pretext of service and kindness. --L'Estrange. With how much or how little pretext of reason. --Dr. H. More. Syn: Pretense; excuse; semblance; disguise; appearance. See {Pretense}.