n.
Pronunciation: ' pr ē - ˌ 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
Date: 1513
: a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs
synonyms see APOLOGY