prefatory

[ pref-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
See synonyms for prefatory on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a preface: prefatory explanations.

Origin of prefatory

1
1665–75; <Latin praefāt() preface + -ory1
  • Often pref·a·to·ri·al .

Other words from prefatory

  • pref·a·to·ri·ly, adverb

Words Nearby prefatory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use prefatory in a sentence

  • Unfortunately for my desires, I can only be prefatory in the case of my own.

    The Chalice Of Courage | Cyrus Townsend Brady
  • In April he sends her "an inclosure for Power" to be forwarded immediately—and this was probably the prefatory letter.

    Thomas Moore | Stephen Gwynn

British Dictionary definitions for prefatory

prefatory

prefatorial (ˌprɛfəˈtɔːrɪəl)

/ (ˈprɛfətərɪ, -trɪ) /


adjective
  1. of, involving, or serving as a preface; introductory

Origin of prefatory

1
C17: from Latin praefārī to say in advance; see preface

Derived forms of prefatory

  • prefatorily or prefatorially, adverb

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