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pretext definition

pre·text (prē′tekst′)

noun

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

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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