pretext
pronunciation
How to pronounce pretext in British English:
UK [ˈpriːtekst]
How to pronounce pretext in American English:
US [ˈpriːtekst]
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- Noun:
- something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
- an artful or simulated semblance
Word Origin
- pretext
- pretext: see text
- pretext (n.)
- 1510s, from French prétexte, from Latin praetextum "a pretext, outward display," noun use of neuter past participle of praetexere "to disguise, cover," literally "weave in front" (for sense, compare pull the wool over (someone's) eyes); from prae- "in front" (see pre-) + texere "to weave," from PIE root *teks- "to weave, to make" (see texture (n.)).