Where does “pretext” come from?
Pretext derives from French prétexte, from Latin praetextus, the past participle of praetexere, meaning to weave before or conceal, formed from prae and texere.
pretext (English): A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason;...
Definitions
- A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason;...
Ancestry of “pretext”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | prétexte | excuse, pretext; first-person singular present... |
| 2 | Latin | praetextum | nominative neuter singular of praetextus;... |
| 3 | Latin | praetextus | fringed |
| 4 | Latin | praetexo | I fringe, edge, border; I place before or in... |
| 5 | Latin | prae- | before; in front; in charge |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | prai- | pre-, before |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | preh₂- | before, in front |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |