pretext
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From French prétexte, from Latin praetextum (“an ornament, etc., wrought in front, a pretense”), neuter of praetextus, past participle of praetexere (“to weave before, fringe or border, allege”).
Pronunciation [edit]
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Audio (US) (file)
Noun [edit]
pretext (plural pretexts)
- A false, contrived or assumed purpose; a pretense.
- The reporter called the company on the pretext of trying to resolve a consumer complaint.
- 2012 May 27, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992)”, The Onion AV Club:
- When that metaphor proves untenable, he switches to insisting that women are like beer but that’s mainly as a pretext to drink until he passes out in a father-son bonding haze.
Synonyms [edit]
- See also Wikisaurus:pretext
Translations [edit]
false, contrived or assumed purpose
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Verb [edit]
pretext (third-person singular simple present pretexts, present participle pretexting, simple past and past participle pretexted)
- 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.
Synonyms [edit]
- blag (UK)
Translations [edit]
employ a pretext
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See also [edit]
Social engineering on Wikipedia.Wikipedia:Social engineering
External links [edit]
- pretext in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- pretext in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
