pre·text (prē'těkst')
n.
1.
An ostensible or professed purpose; an excuse.
2.
An effort or strategy intended to conceal something.
tr.v. pre·text·ed, pre·text·ing, pre·texts
To allege as an excuse.
[Latin praetextum, from neuter past participle of praetexere, to disguise : prae-, pre- + texere, to weave; see teks- in Indo-European roots.]
