Noun: pretext 'pree,tekst
- Something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
"He used the meeting as a pretext to see her";
- stalking-horse
- An artful or simulated semblance
"under the pretext of friendship he betrayed them";
- guise, pretense [N. Amer], pretence [Brit, Cdn]
Derived forms: pretexts
Type of: color [US], colour [Brit, Cdn], dissembling, gloss, pretence [Brit, Cdn], pretense [N. Amer], semblance
Encyclopedia: Pretext