preface

[pref-is] /ˈprɛf ɪs/
noun
1.
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.
2.
an introductory part, as of a speech.
3.
something preliminary or introductory:
The meeting was the preface to an alliance.
4.
Ecclesiastical. a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.
verb (used with object), prefaced, prefacing.
5.
to provide with or introduce by a preface.
6.
to serve as a preface to.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Middle French < Medieval Latin prēfātia, for Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, equivalent to praefāt(us) (past participle of praefārī to say beforehand; see pre-, fate) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
prefacer, noun
unprefaced, adjective
Synonyms
1. See introduction. 2, 3. preamble, prologue, prolegomena.
Antonyms
1. appendix. 2, 3. epilogue.
Examples from the web for preface
  • This Web site also has an excerpt from the book's preface.
  • Please preface this plan with a statement of the aims of your session.
  • Let me preface my comments by saying that I understand it is a beta.
  • The preface is where the author lays out the reasons he or she wrote the book.
  • The contention in the preface that Washington was the “most ambitious” of the founders seems a stretch.
  • So, the preface is really a postscript.
  • I'd preface the quote with a note.
  • Schocken has just issued a 20th-anniversary hardcover edition with a new preface by the author.
  • Let me just preface by saying that these projects are hard.
  • Despite this awkward preface, the ''recovered'' memoir is fascinating.
British Dictionary definitions for preface

preface

/ˈprɛfɪs/
noun
1.
a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword
2.
anything introductory
3.
(RC Church) a prayer of thanksgiving and exhortation serving as an introduction to the canon of the Mass
verb (transitive)
4.
to furnish with a preface
5.
to serve as a preface to
Derived Forms
prefacer, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Medieval Latin praefātia, from Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, from praefārī to utter in advance, from prae before + fārī to say
Word Origin and History for preface
n.

late 14c., from Old French preface "opening part of sung devotions" (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prefatia, from Latin praefationem (nominative praefatio) "fore-speaking, introduction," in Medieval Latin "prologue," noun of action from past participle stem of praefari "to say beforehand," from prae "before" (see pre-) + fari "speak" (see fame (n.)).

v.

1610s, from preface (n.). Related: Prefaced; prefacing.