preface
[ pref-is ]
/ ˈprɛf ɪs /
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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.
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Origin of preface
synonym study for preface
1. See introduction.
OTHER WORDS FROM preface
pref·ac·er, nounun·pref·aced, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for preface
British Dictionary definitions for preface
preface
/ (ˈprɛfɪs) /
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 forms of preface
prefacer, nounWord 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
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