frontispiece

[ fruhn-tis-pees, fron- ]

noun

1. an illustrated leaf preceding the title page of a book.
2. Architecture. a façade, or a part or feature of a façade, often highlighted by ornamentation.

frontispiece

/ ˈfrʌntɪsˌpiːs /

noun

1. an illustration facing the title page of a book
2. the principal façade of a building; front
3. a pediment, esp an ornamented one, over a door, window, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of frontispiece¹

1590–1600; alteration (conformed to piece ) of earlier frontispice < French < Medieval Latin frontispicium, equivalent to Latin fronti- front + -spicium (combining form representing specere to look at)

Word History and Origins

Origin of frontispiece¹

C16 frontispice , from French, from Late Latin frontispicium façade, inspection of the forehead, from Latin frōns forehead + specere to look at; influenced by piece

Example Sentences

The Tal gorge debouches upon the Zab from the left, near the further end of the reach shown in the frontispiece.

From Project Gutenberg

It has, by way of frontispiece, a woodcut by Hans Sebald Beham, representing a number of sages seated round a table.

From Project Gutenberg

Another picture in the book that troubled me was the frontispiece.

From Project Gutenberg

Their monthly announcement preceding our frontispiece is worth watching.

From Project Gutenberg

The frontispiece consists of the portrait of the lady for whose devotions the book was prepared.

From Project Gutenberg