A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1590-1667
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Pretext, Pretex, Praetext, n. [e.m.E. pretext (1513), L. praetextus outward display, show, pretext, F. prétexte (16th c. in Littré).] a. A pretext, something used to cloak, cover up, conceal or excuse a fraud or deceit. Only in phr. under, upoun the pretext of (that which is put forward as ‘cloak’). b. A claim or pretension. —a. c1590 Fowler II 84/3.
Be reasoun that vnder this pretex very softlye entred baith her feit in Italye c1590 Ib. 144/2.
That he might … interpryse greater things vnder pretex of religioun, he determined to turne him to the execution of a devot crueltie 1626 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 270.
Vpoun the pretext of the said prouisioun and tailyie … or vpoun pretext of quhatsumeuer … richt … quhilk he micht pretend to the said erldome [etc.] 1637 Banff Ann. I 76.
Wnder the cullor and pretext of the bountay draucht of peitis … the saidis servandis … sellis thair awin maisteris peitis to wthir people 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 42.
The Jesuits … under the prætext of visitting they fly to a sick carkcass … as ravens does to their preyb. 1591 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II 161.
[He has neither] a titill to grace his pretex [nor command of the resources of the realm to prosecute his claim]
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"Pretext n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/pretext_n>
