Meaning of PRETEXT
| Pronunciation: | | 'preetekst
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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- [n] an artful or simulated semblance; "under the guise of friendship he betrayed them"
- [n] something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
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| | Synonyms: | | guise, pretence, pretense, stalking-horse |
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| | See Also: | | color, colour, dissembling, feigning, pretence, pretense, putoff, semblance | |
| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | \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.
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}.
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