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Webster 1913 Edition

Preface

Pref′ace

(?; 48)
,
Noun.
[F.
préface
; cf. Sp.
prefacio
,
prefacion
, It.
prefazio
,
prefazione
; all fr. L.
praefatio
, fr.
praefari
to speak or say beforehand;
prae
before +
fari
,
fatus
, to speak. See
Fate
.]
1.
Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
This superficial tale
Is but a
preface
of her worthy praise.
Shakespeare
Heaven’s high behest no
preface
needs.
Milton.
2.
(R. C. Ch.)
The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.
Addis & Arnold.
Proper preface
(Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.)
,
a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons.
Syn. – Introduction; preliminary; preamble; proem; prelude; prologue.

Pref′ace

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Prefaced
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Prefacing
.]
To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to;
as, to
preface
a book discourse
.

Pref′ace

,
Verb.
I.
To make a preface.
Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1828 Edition

Preface

PREF'ACE

,
Noun.
[L. proefatio; proe, before, and for, fari, fatus, to speak.] Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay, intended to inform the hearer or reader of the main design, or in general, of whatever is necessary to the understanding of the discourse, book or essay; a poem; an introduction or series of preliminary remarks.

PREF'ACE

,
Verb.
T.
To introduce by preliminary remarks; as, to preface a book or discourse. The advocate prefaced his argument with a history of the case.
1.
To face; to cover; a ludicrous sense.
Not prefacing old rags with plush.

PREF'ACE

,
Verb.
I.
To say something introductory.

Definition 2024

Preface

Preface

See also: preface, préface, and préfacé

English

Noun

Preface ‎(plural Prefaces)

  1. The part of the liturgy that precedes the main part of the Eucharist

preface

preface

See also: Preface, préface, and préfacé

English

Alternative forms

Noun

preface ‎(plural prefaces)

  1. 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.
  2. An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
    • Shakespeare
      This superficial tale / Is but a preface of her worthy praise.
    • Milton
      Heaven's high behest no preface needs.
  3. (Roman Catholic) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.

Translations

beginning or introductory portion coming before the main text of a document or book

Verb

preface ‎(third-person singular simple present prefaces, present participle prefacing, simple past and past participle prefaced)

  1. (transitive) To introduce or make a comment before (the main point).
    Let me preface this by saying that I don't know him that well.
  2. (transitive) To give a preface to.
    to preface a book

Translations

to introduce a text

Related terms

See also

Etymology

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”)

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈpɹɛfəs/
  • Rhymes: -ɛfəs

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