pretext

One entry found for pretext.

Main Entry: pre·text
Pronunciation: 'prE-"tekst
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin praetextus, from praetexere to assign as a pretext, screen, extend in front, from prae- + texere to weave -- more at TECHNICAL
: a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs
synonym see APOLOGY