1510s, from French prétexte, from Latin praetextum "a pretext, outward display," noun use of neuter past participle of praetexere "to disguise, cover," literally "weave in front" (for sense, compare pull the wool over (someone's) eyes); from prae- "in front" (see pre-) + texere "to weave," from PIE root *teks- "to weave, to make" (see texture (n.)).
双语例句
1. They wanted a pretext for subduing the region by force.
他们想找借口用武力征服这个地区。
来自柯林斯例句
2. They would now find some dubious pretext to restart the war.
他们现在会找个蹩脚的借口重新发动战争。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The incident was used as a pretext for intervention in the area.
这次事件成了干涉那个地区的借口。
来自《权威词典》
4. He used his headache as a pretext for not going to school.
他借口头疼而不去上学.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. He didn't attend that meeting under the pretext of sickness.