Pre"text (?; 277), n. [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.