prætexta

plural prætextæ

1. alternativeAlternative spelling of praetexta.

   Hanging on a nail against the wall is represented something of a circular shape, which Mr. B. imagines to be a vessel of sacrifice ; but we conceive it to be the golden bulla, hung up when the prætexta was laid aside.

   1795, Analytical Review: Or History of Literature, Domestic and Foreign, on an Enlarged Plan - Volume 20, Issues 3-5, page 335

   3 more examples

   Vestments according to the difference of age and condition; the toga, or the sagum, the bulla and the prætexta, the laticlaves, the curule chairs, lictors, fasces, axes, crowns of gold, of oaken boughs, or wreaths of laurel, ovations, triumphs; every thing, in short, with them, was pomp and ceremony, and made an impression as such on the minds of the citizens.

   1773, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Émilius, Or, A Treatise on Education - Volume 2, page 248

   Cæsar, in his Consulship, had granted to this King the honor of the Prætexta, or the robe of the Roman Magistrates; which was always disagreeable to the nobility, who did not care to see these petty Princes put upon the same rank with themselves; so the Cicero, calling out upon the nobles, will you, says he, who refused the Prætexta to the King of Bostra, suffer this Comagenian to strut in purple!

   1790, Conyers Middleton, The History of the Life of M. Tullius Cicero - Volume 2, page 83

   So here we all were in the mystic sunset of the autumn hills — old Scribonius Libo in his toga prætexta, the golden light glancing on his shiny bald head and wrinkled hawk face, Balbutius with his gleaming helmet and breastplate, blue-shaven lips compressed in conscientiously dogged opposition, young Asellius with his polished greaves and superior sneer, and the curious throng of townsfolk, legionaries, tribesmen, peasants, lictors, slaves, and attendants.

   1927, H.P. Lovecraft, The Very Old Folk