preface

[pref-is]

noun

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.

verb (used with object), pref·aced, pref·ac·ing.

to provide with or introduce by a preface.
to serve as a preface to.

Origin of preface

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 formspref·ac·er, nounun·pref·aced, adjective

Synonyms for preface

1. See introduction. 2, 3. preamble, prologue, prolegomena.

Antonyms for preface

1. appendix. 2, 3. epilogue.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for prefaced

preamble, foreword, prologue, prelude, explanation, overture, prolegomenon, preliminary, beginning, exordium, begin, lead, launch, commence, prefix, usher, open, precede, proem, prelusion

Examples from the Web for prefaced

Contemporary Examples of prefaced

I prefaced it by saying, “Bill Clinton was such a dog, that…” so they cut out the story angle.
Tom Sizemore’s Revenge: On Tom Cruise’s Scientology Recruitment, Drugs, and Craving a Comeback
Marlow Stern
September 26, 2014
She prefaced her remarks by stating that she was not going to give “a campaign political speech.”
Joni Ernst's Big Pivot: From Pig Castrator to Iowa Nice
Ben Jacobs
August 11, 2014
Nearly three weeks later, I received a stock e-mailed apology, prefaced by a quick summary of the United Airlines world view.
The National-Security Diaper Scramble
Philip Shishkin
April 25, 2013
My link was prefaced by a caveat that the story was a disgrace: "If accurate."
Yes, Bin Laden's Killer Will Get Healthcare Benefits
David Frum
February 12, 2013
Things take a turn at 4:06, making you wonder if that relates to what was prefaced in the video as “inspired by true events.”
Adam Levine, Grizzly Bear & More of the Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO)
Jean Trinh
February 1, 2013

Historical Examples of prefaced

They were prefaced as follows:—'We were talking of Hexameters with you.
The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
That is a very serious and awful question, which may be prefaced by another.
Philebus
Plato
But he had a request to make and prefaced it with many a "Beg y' pardon, Sir."
Soldiers Three, Part II.
Rudyard Kipling
The petition was prefaced by a personal letter containing them.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte
William Milligan Sloane
The signature was prefaced by the words, "Faithful till death!"
What the Moon Saw: and Other Tales
Hans Christian Andersen

British Dictionary definitions for prefaced

preface

noun

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

verb (tr)

to furnish with a preface
to serve as a preface to

Derived Formsprefacer, noun

Word Origin for preface

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 prefaced

preface

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.)).

preface

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