preface

[ pref-is ]
See synonyms for preface on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. 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.

  2. an introductory part, as of a speech.

  1. something preliminary or introductory: The meeting was the preface to an alliance.

  2. 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.
  1. to provide with or introduce by a preface.

  2. to serve as a preface to.

Origin of preface

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from 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

synonym study For preface

1. See introduction.

Other words for preface

Opposites for preface

Other words from preface

  • pref·ac·er, noun
  • un·pref·aced, adjective

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

How to use preface in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for preface

preface

/ (ˈprɛfɪs) /


noun
  1. a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword

  2. anything introductory

  1. RC Church a prayer of thanksgiving and exhortation serving as an introduction to the canon of the Mass

verb(tr)
  1. to furnish with a preface

  2. to serve as a preface to

Origin of preface

1
C14: from Medieval Latin praefātia, from Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, from praefārī to utter in advance, from prae before + fārī to say

Derived forms of preface

  • prefacer, noun

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