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.]
