Pretextual

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Used to describe something that acts as a false or misleading reason to hide the true purpose
2. Referring to a claim or explanation that is not genuine but intended to conceal the real motive
3. Pertaining to an excuse made dishonestly to divert attention from actual intentions

Etymology: "Pretextual" is a straightforward formation: it combines "pretext," a reason offered to conceal the real one, with the suffix "-ual," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "relating to" the noun. So a pretextual argument is one that relates to a pretext, a stated cover for a hidden motive. The root "pretext" comes from Latin "praetextus," the past participle of "praetexere," meaning "to weave in front" or "to put before." Its literal sense was a covering or screen placed in front of something, and the idea of an excuse hiding a purpose grew naturally from that image of a fabric concealing what lies behind it.