pretext
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
< French prétexte < Latin praetextum (“‘an ornament, etc., wrought in front, a pretense’”), neut. of praetextus, pp. of praetexere (“‘to weave before, fringe or border, allege’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
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.
[edit] Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:pretext
[edit] Translations
false, contrived or assumed purpose
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
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to 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.
- HP chairwoman Patricia Dunn obtained directors' home phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.
[edit] Translations
[edit] See also
- At Wikipedia: Social engineering
[edit] External links
- pretext in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- pretext in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911