prefatory Hear it!

prefatory Definition

prefa·tory (pref′ə tôr′ē)

adjective

of, like, or serving as a preface; introductory

Etymology: < L praefatus (see preface) + -ory

Related Forms:

prefatory Synonyms

prefatory

modif.

opening, initiative, preliminary; see introductory 1.

prefatory Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • remark: No sooner had I arrived than he went to business without any prefatory remarks.
  • essay: The prefatory essay by the editors William Baker and J.H. Alexander provides a useful introduction to the Tales as a whole.
  • matter: Concerning the old eds. , see the prefatory matter to THE FIRST PART.
  • note: His Prefatory Note is a heady pedestal on which to set Frances Leviston's first collection.
  • letter: The image to the right is from Gregory's prefatory letter addressed to Bishop Leander of Seville.
  • material: I found too that a great strength of the collection is its use of first editions and the inclusion of prefatory material.