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pretext

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The definition of a pretext is an excuse or a cover up for the truth.

(noun)

An example of a pretext is a person saying that she is having a small family dinner at home while a group of people are waiting there to surprise her father for his birthday.

See pretext in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a false reason or motive put forth to hide the real one; excuse
a cover-up; front

Origin: L praetextum, neut. of praetextus, pp. of praetexere, to weave before, pretend: see pre- & texture

See pretext in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An ostensible or professed purpose; an excuse.
An effort or strategy intended to conceal something.

transitive verb pre·text·ed, pre·text·ing, pre·texts

To allege as an excuse.

Origin:

Origin: Latin praetextum

Origin: , from neuter past participle of praetexere, to disguise

Origin: : prae-, pre-

Origin: + texere, to weave; see teks- in Indo-European roots

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