I.abl. sing.; cf. praetextum, s. v. praetexo fin.), m. praetexo.
I. Outward appearance, show, ornament, display, splendor, consequence (post-Aug.): “majore praetextu,” Tac. H. 1, 19: “praetextu senatūs,” id. ib. 1, 76: “plurimorum et maximorum operum praetextu,” Val. Max. 4, 4, 1; Manil. 3, 129. —