Pretext
WordNet
noun
(1) An artful or simulated semblance
"Under the guise of friendship he betrayed them"
(2) Something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
WiktionaryText
Etymology
< < , neut. of , pp. of .
Noun
- A false, contrived or assumed purpose; a pretense.
- The reporter called the company on the pretext of trying to resolve a consumer complaint.
Verb
- To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.
- HP chairwoman Patricia Dunn obtained directors' home phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.
See also
- At Wikipedia: Social engineering