preface
[ pref-is ]
/ ˈprɛf ɪs /
noun
a preliminary statement in a book by the book's author or editor, setting forth its purpose and scope, expressing acknowledgment of assistance from others, etc.
an introductory part, as of a speech.
something preliminary or introductory: The meeting was the preface to an alliance.
Ecclesiastical.
a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.
verb (used with object), pref·aced, pref·ac·ing.
to provide with or introduce by a preface.
to serve as a preface to.
Origin of preface
SYNONYMS FOR preface
1 See
introduction.
2, 3 preamble, prologue, prolegomena.
OTHER WORDS FROM preface
pref·ac·er, noun un·pref·aced, adjectiveWords nearby preface
preexist,
preexposure,
pref.,
prefab,
prefabricate,
preface,
prefatory,
prefect,
prefect apostolic,
prefectorial,
prefecture
Example sentences from the Web for preface
British Dictionary definitions for preface
preface
/ (ˈprɛfɪs) /
noun
a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword
anything introductory
RC Church
a prayer of thanksgiving and exhortation serving as an introduction to the canon of the Mass
verb (tr)
to furnish with a preface
to serve as a preface to
Derived forms of preface
prefacer, nounWord Origin for preface
C14: from Medieval Latin
praefātia, from Latin
praefātiō a saying beforehand, from
praefārī to utter in advance, from
prae before +
fārī to say