preface
[pref-is]
- 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.
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- to provide with or introduce by a preface.
- to serve as a preface to.
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Origin of preface
Synonyms
See more synonyms for preface on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
1. appendix. 2, 3. epilogue.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for prefaced
Contemporary Examples
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 ComebackMarlow Stern
September 26, 2014
She prefaced her remarks by stating that she was not going to give “a campaign political speech.”
Nearly three weeks later, I received a stock e-mailed apology, prefaced by a quick summary of the United Airlines world view.
My link was prefaced by a caveat that the story was a disgrace: "If accurate."
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
They were prefaced as follows:—'We were talking of Hexameters with you.
The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor ColeridgeSamuel Taylor Coleridge
That is a very serious and awful question, which may be prefaced by another.
PhilebusPlato
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 BonaparteWilliam Milligan Sloane
The signature was prefaced by the words, "Faithful till death!"
What the Moon Saw: and Other TalesHans Christian Andersen
preface
- 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
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- to furnish with a preface
- to serve as a preface to
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Word Origin
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
n.
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.)).
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preface
v.
1610s, from preface (n.). Related: Prefaced; prefacing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper