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Webster 1913 Edition

Pretext

Pre′text

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[F.
prétexte
, 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 real reason or motive; pretense; disguise.
They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a
pretext
of service and kindness.
L’Estrange.
With how much or how little
pretext
of reason.
Dr. H. More.
Syn. – Pretense; excuse; semblance; disguise; appearance. See
Pretense
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pretext

PRETEXT'

,
Noun.
[L. proetextus.] Pretense; false appearance; ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive. He gave plausible reasons for this conduct, but these were only a pretext to conceal his real motives.
He made pretext that I should only go
And help convey his freight; but thought not so.
They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a pretext of service and kindness.

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