pretext
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pretext
something put forward to conceal a true purpose; an ostensible reason; excuse: The leaders used presumed threats as a pretext to declare war.; subterfuge; evasion
Not to be confused with:
pretense – pretending or feigning: a pretense of listening; a false show of something: his sympathy was only a pretense; an allegation or claim: get a loan under false pretenses; shamming; semblance; mask, veil
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
pre·text
(prē′tĕkst′)n.
A reason or excuse given to hide the real reason for something.
[Latin praetextum, from neuter past participle of praetexere, to disguise : prae-, pre- + texere, to weave; see teks- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pretext
(ˈpriːtɛkst)n
1. a fictitious reason given in order to conceal the real one
2. a specious excuse; pretence
[C16: from Latin praetextum disguise, from praetexere to weave in front, disguise; see texture]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
pre•text
(ˈpri tɛkst)n.
1. something put forward to conceal a true purpose or object; ostensible reason; excuse.
2. the misleading appearance or behavior assumed with this intention; subterfuge.
[1505–15; < Latin praetextum pretext, ornament, n. use of neuter past participle of praetexere to edge with, place in front, pretend. See pre-, texture]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
pretext
- From Latin praetexere, "to disguise," from prae, "in front," and texere, "weave"—as something serving to conceal plans.See also related terms for weave.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | pretext - something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason putoff - a pretext for delay or inaction |
2. | ![]() |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
pretext
noun guise, excuse, veil, show, cover, appearance, device, mask, ploy, cloak, simulation, pretence, semblance, ruse, red herring, alleged reason They wanted a pretext to restart the war. He excused himself on the pretext of a stomach ache.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
pretext
noun1. A professed rather than a real reason:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
حُجَّةعُذْر كاذِب
výmluvazáminka
påskudundskyldning
tekosyy
izgovor
ürügy
yfirvarp
口実
핑계
atrunaiegansts
výhovorka
förevändning
ข้ออ้าง
cớ
pretext
[ˈpriːtekst] N → pretexto m, excusa fit's just a pretext → no es más que un pretexto or una excusa
on or under the pretext of doing sth → so pretexto or con la excusa de hacer algo
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
pretext
[ˈpriːtɛkst] n → prétexte ma pretext for doing sth → un prétexte pour faire qch
a pretext to do sth → un prétexte pour faire qch
on the pretext of sth → prétextant qch
He excused himself on the pretext of a stomach upset → Il s'est excusé, prétextant un mal d'estomac.
on the pretext of doing sth → sous prétexte de faire qch
under the pretext of doing sth → sous prétexte de faire qch
under the pretext of sth → sous prétexte de qch
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
pretext
(ˈpriːtekst) noun a reason given in order to hide the real reason; an excuse.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
pretext
→ حُجَّة záminka påskud Vorwand πρόφαση pretexto tekosyy prétexte izgovor pretesto 口実 핑계 voorwendsel påskudd pretekst pretexto предлог förevändning ข้ออ้าง bahane cớ 借口Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009