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pretty up
pretzel
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pretext

pre·text [ pr tèkst ] (plural pre·texts)


noun 
Definition:
 
made-up excuse: a misleading or untrue reason given for doing something in an attempt to conceal the real reason

[Early 16th century. < Latin praetextus "show, display" < past participle of praetexere "weave before, adorn" < texere "weave"]

Word Usage

See pretense.

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