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
Origin: L praetextum, neut. of praetextus, pp. of praetexere, to weave before, pretend: see pre- & texture
See pretext in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
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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