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Webster 1913 Edition
Prefatory
Pref′a-to-ry
,Adj.
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse;
as,
. prefatory
remarksThat
prefatory
addition to the Creed. Dryden.
Webster 1828 Edition
Prefatory
PREF'ATORY
,Adj.
Definition 2024
prefatory
prefatory
English
Alternative forms
- præfatory (obsolete)
Adjective
prefatory (comparative more prefatory, superlative most prefatory)
- introductory, preliminary, serving as a prelude or preface.
Usage notes
Rather formal and academic – preliminary is less formal, while introductory is less formal still. A casual alternative is to use some form of start, as in “To start…” or “Let me start by saying…”, as opposed to “By way of prefatory remarks…”.
Translations
introductory