“pretext” in Latin

causa (general term, but also for “pretended cause”): praescriptio: nomen (feigned title or name): simulatio alicujus rei (pretence of anything; also = pretext or cloak; for which praetextus is post-Augustan): species (appearance; colorable appearance: not obtentus). Under pretence of, specie, per speciem alicujus rei, nomine alicujus rei (under color of): simulatione, per simulationem alicujus rei (under cloak of: ☞ sub praetextu or obtentu not classical). (The words are found in this connection and order.) simulatione et nomine alicujus rei: fronte or in frontem (opposed to pectore): per causam alicujus rei: simulata aliqua re. ☞ Titulus apparently not before the Augustan age: under the pretext of equalizing the laws, sub titulo sequandarum legum (Liv.): you may remember what pretext you held forth, licet vobis meminisse quem titulum praetenderitis, etc.] . Under the pretext that, etc., causa interposita or illata (with accusative and infinitive); causatus (with accusative and infinitive): to invent a pretext, causam confingere or reperire: to allege as a pretext, causam interponere or interserere: to use anything as a pretext, causari, praetendere, praetexere aliquid: simulare aliquid (e.g., bonum publicum). To believe anything to be a deceitful pretext, aliquid ostentui credere (e.g., signa deditionis, Sall., Jug., 46, 6).