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fabula praetexta

noun fabula prae·tex·ta \ -prēˈtekstə- \
variants: or less commonly fabula praetextata \-(ˌ)prēˌtekˈstätə, -ātə\

Definition of fabula praetexta

plural fabulae praetextae \-ˌstē\
: an ancient Roman drama with a theme from Roman history or legend

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Origin and Etymology of fabula praetexta

Latin, literally, drama in praetextae; from the praetextae worn by the actors

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