pretext

pretext
Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; false appearance, pretense.
In international law, a reason alleged as justificatory, but which is so only in appearance, or which is even absolutely destitute of all foundation. The name of "pretexts" may likewise be applied to reasons which are in themselves true and well-founded, but, not being of sufficient importance for undertaking a war [or other international act], are made use of only to cover ambitious views

Black's law dictionary. . 1990.

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  • pretext — PRETÉXT, pretexte, s.n. Motiv (neîntemeiat sau neadevărat) invocat ca justificare a unei acţiuni sau pentru a escamota un motiv real. ♢ loc. conj. Sub pretext că... = pretinzând că... ♦ Impuls, stimulent. – Din fr. prétexte. Trimis de oprocopiuc …   Dicționar Român

  • Pretext — Pre text (?; 277), n. [F. pr[ e]texte, L. praetextum, fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, allege as an excuse; prae before + texere to weave. See {Text}.] Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pretext — I noun affectation, alibi, alleged purpose, alleged reason, camouflage, charade, claim, cover, deception, defense, disguise, evasion, excuse, fabrication, false appearance, false ground, false motive, false pretense, false reason, false show,… …   Law dictionary

  • pretext — (n.) 1510s, from L. praetextum a pretext, originally neuter pp. of praetexere to disguise, cover, from prae in front + texere to weave (Cf. pull the wool over someone s eyes); from PIE root *tek make (see TEXTURE (Cf. texture)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • pretext — excuse, plea, alibi, *apology, apologia Analogous words: ruse, *trick, maneuver, stratagem: *deception: justification, vindication, defending or defense (see corresponding verbs at MAINTAIN) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • pretext — [n] disguise; alleged reason affectation, alibi, appearance, bluff, cleanup, cloak, color*, coloring*, cop out*, cover, cover story*, coverup*, device, excuse, face, feint, fig leaf*, front, guise, mask, masquerade, plea, ploy, pretense, red… …   New thesaurus

  • pretext — ► NOUN ▪ an ostensible or false reason used to justify an action. ORIGIN Latin praetextus outward display , from praetexere to disguise …   English terms dictionary

  • pretext — [prē′tekst΄] n. [L praetextum, neut. of praetextus, pp. of praetexere, to weave before, pretend: see PRE & TEXTURE] 1. a false reason or motive put forth to hide the real one; excuse 2. a cover up; front …   English World dictionary

  • pretext — n. 1) to find a pretext for 2) a flimsy; mere pretext 3) a pretext to + inf. (it was a pretext to occupy more territory) 4) a pretext that + clause (she refused to attend on the pretext that she would be out of town) 5) at, on, under a pretext… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • pretext — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ flimsy ▪ Several schools banned the game on flimsy pretexts. ▪ false ▪ This was a false pretext to attack another country. VERB + PRETEXT ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • Pretext — (Roget s Thesaurus) >Ostensible motive, ground, or reason assigned. < N PARAG:Pretext >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 pretext pretext pretense pretension plea| Sgm: N 1 allegation allegation advocation Sgm: N 1 ostensible motive ostensible motive… …   English dictionary for students

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