preface
[pref-is]
- 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.
- to provide with or introduce by a preface.
- to serve as a preface to.
Origin of preface
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
1. appendix. 2, 3. epilogue.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for preface
Contemporary Examples
In his preface, Solomon suggests that other movements can learn from this one.
Music journalist Joel Selwin annotates, with a preface by Donovan, a foreword by Jorma Kaukonen, and an afterword by John Poppy.
I quote Immanuel Kant in my preface, defining enlightenment as mankind coming out of its self-imposed immaturity.
Elizabeth Drew writes about that in the preface of her republished book about Nixon.
“It is just notes and thinkings,” Fenn writes by way of preface.
Historical Examples
Contenting himself with this preface, Roderick began to read.
The Christmas Banquet (From "Mosses From An Old Manse")Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Maxims were first published in 1665, with a preface by Segrais.
ReflectionsFrancois Duc De La Rochefoucauld
His wife had been very ill when he wrote the preface; soon afterwards she was dead.
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1Henry Fielding
It forms the preface to an American edition of my so-called Fairy Tales.
A Dish Of OrtsGeorge MacDonald
Drafts for the dedication, the preface, and for a work on Esthetics.
Albert DurerT. Sturge Moore
preface
- 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
- to furnish with a preface
- to serve as a preface to
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper