pretext

n. excuse, pretense, alleged reason, alibi

v. make an excuse, give a false reason, give a pretense, provide an alibi

Noun
1. something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
(synonym) stalking-horse
(hypernym) pretense, pretence, feigning, dissembling
(hyponym) putoff
2. an artful or simulated semblance; "under the guise of friendship he betrayed them"
(synonym) guise, pretense, pretence
(hypernym) semblance, gloss, color, colour

(n.)
Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise.
  

The reasons assigned to justify an act, which have only the appearance of truth, and which are without foundation; or which if true are not the true reasons for such act.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.

pretext
plea
excuse
blindnu e decât un pretext = that is only an excuse / a screen.
sub pretextul... (cu gen.) = on a plea of...
sub pretextul... (cu gen.) = on pretext of...
sub pretextul... (cu gen.) = on the pretence of...
sub pretextul... (cu gen.) = under the pretext of...