Preface definition

prĕfĭs
prefaced prefaces prefacing
See word origin
Frequency:
To serve as an introduction to.
verb
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The definition of a preface is an introduction.

An example of a preface is the first part of a book.

noun
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The words introducing the central part of the Eucharist in several Christian churches.
noun
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Something introductory; a preliminary.

An informal brunch served as a preface to the three-day conference.

noun
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(r.c.ch.) The introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.
noun
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To preface is to introduce something or begin.

An example of to preface is to explain why you are telling a story.

verb
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A preliminary statement or essay introducing a book that explains its scope, intention, or background and is usually written by the author.
noun
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An introductory section, as of a speech.
noun
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Something preliminary or introductory; prelude.
noun
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To furnish or introduce with a preface.
verb
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To be or serve as a preface to; begin.
verb
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The beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book.

The book included a brief preface by a leading expert in the field.

noun
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An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
noun
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(Roman Catholic) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.
noun
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To introduce or make a comment before (the main point).

Let me preface this by saying that I don't know him that well.

verb
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To give a preface to.

To preface a book.

verb
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The part of the liturgy that precedes the main part of the Eucharist.
noun
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To introduce by or provide with a preliminary statement or essay.
verb
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An introductory statement to a book, telling its purpose, plan, etc., esp. a brief one written by the book's author.
noun
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
preface
Plural:
prefaces

Origin of preface

  • Middle English from Old French from Latin praefātiō praefātiōn- from praefātus past participle of praefārī to say before prae- pre- fārī to speak bhā-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • 1350-1400; Middle English prefas, which is from Old French preface (from which derives the modern French préface), from Medieval Latin prefatia, for classical Latin praefatio (“a saying beforehand"), from praefor (“to speak beforehand"), from prae- (“beforehand") + for (“to speak")

    From Wiktionary

Preface Sentence Examples

  • A collected edition of his works, with a biographical preface, was published in 1737.

  • The author however of the preface to The Rights of the Lords asserted (1702), while blaming their publication as "scattered and unfinished papers," admits their genuineness.

  • In 1529 he brought out his Oeconomia christiana (a treatise in German, on the right ordering of a Christian household) with a dedication to the duchess Sybil of Saxony and a preface by Luther.

  • In a preface to a later edition she tells us how the novel came to be written, and, though it anticipates events, this revelation of herself may best be given here.

  • Charles, however, has given good grounds for supposing that it is merely a preface, and that the work went on to discuss grammar, logic (which Bacon thought of little service, as reasoning was innate), mathematics, general physics, metaphysics and moral philosophy.

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Words near preface in the Dictionary