praetexta

American  

[pree-tek-stuh] / priˈtɛk stə /

Or pretexta

noun

plural

praetextae

1. (in ancient Rome) a white toga with a broad purple border, worn by priests and magistrates as an official costume, and by certain other Romans as ceremonial dress.

2. a similar garment worn by a boy until he assumed the toga virilis, or by a girl until she married.

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Etymology

Origin of praetexta

1595–1605; < Latin, short for toga praetexta literally, bordered toga. See pretext

Example Sentences

We know of but twelve tragedies and one praetexta by him.

From The History of Roman Literature From the earliest period to the death of Marcus Aurelius by Cruttwell, Charles Thomas

Its chief interest lies in the fact that it is the one surviving example of a fabula praetexta, or tragedy, drawn from Roman life.

From Post-Augustan Poetry From Seneca to Juvenal by Butler, Harold Edgeworth

If, finally, you see him lamenting, complaining, unhappy, call him a slave, though he wears a praetexta.

From A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus with the Encheiridion by Epictetus

Without regret we passed Fundi, where Aufidius Luscus was praetor, laughing at the honors of that crazy scribe, his praetexta, laticlave, and pan of incense.

From The Works of Horace by Horace

Pacuvius also wrote one praetexta, Paulus, doubtless on L. Aemilius Paulus, the victor of Pydna.

From The Student's Companion to Latin Authors by Middleton, George