Definitions for pretext
ˈpri tɛkstpre·text

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pretext, stalking-horsenoun

   something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

2. guise, pretense, pretence, pretextnoun

   an artful or simulated semblance

   "under the guise of friendship he betrayed them"

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pretextnoun

   A false, contrived or assumed purpose; a pretense.

   The reporter called the company on the pretext of trying to resolve a consumer complaint.

2. pretextverb

   To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.

   The spy obtained his phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.

3. Etymology: From prétexte, from praetextum, neuter of praetextus, past participle of praetexere.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Pretextnoun

   Pretence; false appearance; false allegation.

   Etymology: prætextus, Lat. pretexte, Fr.

   My pretext to strike at him admits
   A good construction. William Shakespeare, Coriolanus.

   Under this pretext, the means he sought
   To ruin such whose might did much exceed
   His pow’r to wrong. Samuel Daniel, Civil War.

   As chymists gold from brass by fire would draw,
   Pretexts are into treason forg’d by law. John Denham.

   I shall not say with how much, or how little pretext of reason they managed those disputes. Decay of Piety.

   They suck the blood of those they depend upon, under a pretext of service and kindness. Roger L'Estrange.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Pretext

   A pretext (adj: pretextual) is an excuse to do something or say something that is not accurate. Pretexts may be based on a half-truth or developed in the context of a misleading fabrication. Pretexts have been used to conceal the true purpose or rationale behind actions and words. They are often heard in political speeches. In US law, a pretext usually describes false reasons that hide the true intentions or motivations for a legal action. If a party can establish a prima facie case for the proffered evidence, the opposing party must prove that these reasons were "pretextual" or false. This can be accomplished by directly demonstrating that the motivations behind the presentation of evidence is false, or indirectly by evidence that the motivations are not "credible". In Griffith v. Schnitzer, an employment discrimination case, a jury award was reversed by a Court of Appeals because the evidence was not sufficient that the defendant's reasons were "pretextual". That is, the defendant's evidence was either undisputed, or the plaintiff's was "irrelevant subjective assessments and opinions".A "pretextual" arrest by law enforcement officers is one carried out for illegal purposes such as to conduct an unjustified search and seizure. As one example of pretext, in the 1880s, the Chinese government raised money on the pretext of modernizing the Chinese navy. Instead, these funds were diverted to repair a ship-shaped, two-story pavilion which had been originally constructed for the mother of the Qianlong Emperor. This pretext and the Marble Barge are famously linked with Empress Dowager Cixi. This architectural folly, known today as the Marble Boat (Shifang), is "moored" on Lake Kunming in what the empress renamed the "Garden for Cultivating Harmony" (Yiheyuan).Another example of pretext was demonstrated in the speeches of the Roman orator Cato the Elder (234–149 BC). For Cato, every public speech became a pretext for a comment about Carthage. The Roman statesman had come to believe that the prosperity of ancient Carthage represented an eventual and inevitable danger to Rome. In the Senate, Cato famously ended every speech by proclaiming his opinion that Carthage had to be destroyed (Carthago delenda est). This oft-repeated phrase was the ultimate conclusion of all logical argument in every oration, regardless of the subject of the speech. This pattern persisted until his death in 149, which was the year in which the Third Punic War began. In other words, any subject became a pretext for reminding his fellow senators of the dangers Carthage represented.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Pretextnoun

   ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Pretext

   A pretext is an excuse to do something or say something that is not accurate. Pretexts may be based on a half-truth or developed in the context of a misleading fabrication. Pretexts have been used to conceal the true purpose or rationale behind actions and words. In US law, a pretext usually describes false reasons that hide the true intentions or motivations for a legal action. If a party can establish a prima facie case for the proffered evidence, the opposing party must prove that the these reasons were "pretextual" or false. This can be accomplished by directly demonstrating that the motivations behind the presentation of evidence is false, or indirectly by evidence that the motivations are not "credible". In Griffith v. Schnitzer, an employment discrimination case, a jury award was reversed by a Court of Appeals because the evidence was not sufficient that the defendant's reasons were "pretextual". That is, the defendant's evidence was either undisputed, or the plaintiff's was "irrelevant subjective assessments and opinions". A "pretextual" arrest by law enforcement officers is one carried out for illegal purposes such as to conduct an unjustified search and seizure.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Pretext

   prē′tekst, or prē-tekst′, n. an assumed motive or reason put forward to conceal the real one: a pretence. [L. prætextum—prætexĕre—præ, before, texĕre, to weave.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pretext

   a false reason given for an action, in order to hide the real reason

   1. The incident provided the pretext for war. 2. om called at her apartment on the pretext of asking for a book.

   
   

   Submitted by Jon Snow on June 17, 2014  

Matched Categories

1. • Pretense
   • Semblance

How to pronounce pretext?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say pretext in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of pretext in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of pretext in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of pretext in a Sentence

1. Lula Institute:

   The only (purpose) ... is to subject the former President to public embarrassment, it is not Lula's credibility that is compromised when its leaders turn to a political target in the most fragile pretext.

2. Puig Saura:

   Basically, taking pictures is an excuse to meet people so I use the camera as a pretext.

3. Proverb:

   On every small pretext the wolf seizes the sheep.

4. Jake Sullivan:

   Our intelligence community has developed information, which has now been downgraded, that Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating the pretext for an invasion, we saw this playbook in 2014. They are preparing this playbook again and we will have, the administration will have, further details on what we see as this potential laying of the pretext to share with the press over the course of the next 24 hours.

5. Zhao Lijian:

   What the U.S. did proves that the so-called democracy summit is just a pretext and tool for it to pursue geopolitical goals, suppress other countries, divide the world, serve its own interest and maintain its hegemony in the world.

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