different between subterfuge vs pretext

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French subterfuge, from Medieval Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugi? (“I flee secretly”), from subter (“under”) and fugi? (“I flee”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s?bt???fju?(d)?/

Noun

subterfuge (countable and uncountable, plural subterfuges)

1. (countable) An indirect or deceptive device or stratagem; a blind. Refers especially to war and diplomatics.
2. (uncountable) Deception; misrepresentation of the true nature of an activity.

Translations

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugio (“I flee secretly”), from subter (“under”) and fugio (“I flee”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /syp.t??.fy?/

Noun

subterfuge m (plural subterfuges)

1. subterfuge

   Synonym: stratagème

Further reading

• “subterfuge” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

From French prétexte, from Latin praetextum (“an ornament, etc., wrought in front, a pretense”), neuter of praetextus, past participle of praetexere (“to weave before, fringe or border, allege”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p?i?t?kst/
• Hyphenation: pre?text

Noun

pretext (plural pretexts)

1. A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:pretext

Translations

Verb

pretext (third-person singular simple present pretexts, present participle pretexting, simple past and past participle pretexted)

1. To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.

   The spy obtained his phone records using possibly-illegal pretexting methods.

Synonyms

• blag (UK)

Translations

See also

• Social engineering on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Further reading

• pretext in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• pretext in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Romanian

Etymology

From French prétexte.

Noun

pretext n (plural pretexte)

1. pretext

Declension