21 May 2017
pretext
[pree-tekst]
noun
1. something that is put forward to conceal a true purpose or object; an ostensible reason; excuse:
The leaders used the insults as a pretext to declare war.
2. the misleading appearance or behavior assumed with this intention:
His many lavish compliments were a pretext for subtle mockery.
Origin of pretext
Latin
1505-1515; Latin praetextum pretext, ornament, noun use of neuter past participle of praetexere to pretend, literally, to weave in front, hence, adorn. See pre-, texture
Can be confused
pretense, pretext.
Synonyms
2. subterfuge, evasion.
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for pretext
Contemporary Examples
It requested the Times refrain from publishing them to avoid giving insurgents a pretext to incite violence against soldiers.
Taliban Corpse Photos: Friendly Fire in a Digital War
P.J. Crowley
April 18, 2012
There is the critical difference that in this case the U.S. administration is not looking for a pretext to go to war.
Western Intelligence Suspects Assad Has a Secret Chemical Stockpile
Noah Shachtman, Christopher Dickey
April 30, 2014
Neutralizing or defeating the FDLR removes any pretext for regional intervention.
How Congo Defeated the M23 Rebels
John Prendergast
November 6, 2013
But he warned against using the pretext of defense to launch vast campaigns of destruction.
Pope Francis vs. The Warmongers
Barbie Latza Nadeau
September 12, 2014
Institutions are a pretext to have a look at a wide variety of human behavior.
Legendary Documentarian Frederick Wiseman Shows Us How Berkeley Works
Nico Hines
November 9, 2013
Historical Examples
I said there were two things to discuss, the pretext and the execution.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete
Duc de Saint-Simon
He stood irresolute a moment, then went in on a pretext of ‘inquiry.’
Robert Elsmere
Mrs. Humphry Ward
At the slightest call 500 men collect, and on any pretext kill and eat one another.
Original Narratives of Early American History
Vaca and Others
He made no comment, fearing that she might seize upon any as a pretext for putting him off.
IT and Other Stories
Gouverneur Morris
She was never under any pretext, not even in the event of my death, to return to the stage.
One of My Sons
Anna Katharine Green
Anagram
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Today’s quote
And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul? Surely, I said, knowledge is the food of the soul.
– Plato
On this day
21 May – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
21 May 1929 – Charles Lindbergh lands in Paris after completing the first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight. He had departed the day before from New York. Lindbergh was competing for the Orteig Prize which was to be awarded to the first person to make the transatlantic flight. Lindbergh won $25,000 in prize money. Six people had previously lost their lives in competing for the Orteig Prize.
21 May 1932 – Amelia Earhart flies from Newfoundland to Ireland, becoming the first woman to make a solo transatlantic flight.
21 May 1960 – An 8.5 magnitude earthquake hits Chile, causing massive land-slides and tsunamis, including an 8 metre wave. More than 5,000 people are killed and 2 million left homeless.
21 May 1979 – Dan White is convicted of voluntary manslaughter following being charged with first degree murder after assassinating Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. His defence team had successfully argued for conviction on the lesser charge because they claimed his mental state was diminished as he was suffering depression, evidenced by his consumption of Twinkies and other sugary foods. The defence became known as the ‘Twinkie Defence’.