Defn: Earlier than Tertiary.
PRETERVECTION Pre`ter*vec"tion, n. Etym: [L. praetervectio, fr. praetervehere to carry beyond. See Invection.]
Defn: The act of carrying past or beyond. [R.] Abp. Potter.
PRETEX
Pre*tex", v. t. Etym: [L. praetexere. See Pretext.]
Defn: To frame; to devise; to disguise or excuse; hence, to pretend; to declare falsely. [Obs.]
PRETEXT Pre"text, n. Etym: [F. prétexte, L. praetextum, fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, allege as an excuse; prae before + texere to weave. See Text.]
Defn: Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise. They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a pretext of service and kindness. L'Estrange. With how much or how little pretext of reason. Dr. H. More.
Syn.
— Pretense; excuse; semblance; disguise; appearance. See Pretense.
PRETEXTURE
Pre*tex"ture, n.
Defn: A pretext. [Obs.]