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fabula praetexta

noun
fabula prae·​tex·​ta | \ -prēˈtekstə-\
variants: or less commonly fabula praetextata \ -​(ˌ)prēˌtekˈstätə , -​ātə \
plural fabulae praetextae\ -​ˌstē \

Definition of fabula praetexta

: an ancient Roman drama with a theme from Roman history or legend

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History and Etymology for fabula praetexta

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

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