front matter

American  

noun

Printing.

1. all material in a book that precedes the text proper, as the title page, copyright page, table of contents, dedication, and preface.

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front matter British  

noun

1. another name for prelims

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Etymology

Origin of front matter

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

At the risk of reading too much into a book’s front matter, it helps to know that Groff’s sister, to whom she dedicates the book, is superstar triathlete Sarah True.

From Los Angeles Times

Paging through this front matter feels like waiting for a haunted carnival ride to start, only to be wrong-footed.

From The New Yorker

Much of this material is winningly geeky and enthusiastic: “As front matter goes, I get especially giddy about translator’s notes, and for years I’ve toyed with the idea of editing an anthology of them.”

From New York Times

Even the front matter and jacket flap are upside-down amusing.

From New York Times

The front matter of “Every Night I Dream of Hell” includes a dramatis personae that runs to 40-odd entries.

From Washington Post