From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing, i.e. Pretext -- cloke, colour, pretence, show.
see GREEK pro
see GREEK phaino
a. a pretext (alleged reason, pretended cause): τῆς πλεονεξίας, such as covetousness is accustomed to use, 1 Thessalonians 2:5 ((A. V. cloak of covetousness) the meaning being, that he had never misused his apostolic office in order to disguise or to hide avaricious designs); πρόφασιν ἔχειν (a phrase frequent in Greek authors, cf. Passow, under the word πρόφασις 1 b. vol. ii., p. 1251b; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, I. 3 e.)) περί τῆς ἁμαρτίας, John 15:22 (A. V. marginal reading R. V. excuse).
b. show: προφάσει ὡς κτλ. (A. V.) under color as though they would etc. Acts 27:30; προφάσει (A. V. for a pretence), in pretence, ostensibly: Matthew 23:14-13Rec.; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; Philippians 1:18.