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.