preface

[ pref-is ]

noun

1. 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.

   Antonyms: appendix

2. an introductory part, as of a speech.

   Synonyms: prologue, preamble

   Antonyms: epilogue

3. something preliminary or introductory:

   The meeting was the preface to an alliance.

   Synonyms: prologue, preamble

   Antonyms: epilogue

4. Ecclesiastical. a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.

verb (used with object)

, pref·aced, pref·ac·ing.

1. to provide with or introduce by a preface.
2. to serve as a preface to.

preface

/ ˈprɛfɪs /

noun

1. a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword
2. anything introductory
3. RC Church a prayer of thanksgiving and exhortation serving as an introduction to the canon of the Mass

verb

1. to furnish with a preface
2. to serve as a preface to

Derived Forms

• ˈprefacer, noun

Other Words From

• prefac·er noun
• un·prefaced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preface¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin prēfātia, for Latin praefātiō “a saying beforehand,” equivalent to praefāt(us) (past participle of praefārī “to say beforehand”; pre-, fate ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of preface¹

C14: from Medieval Latin praefātia, from Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, from praefārī to utter in advance, from prae before + fārī to say

Synonym Study

See introduction.

Example Sentences

Author Ron Goldberg says in his preface that Larry Kramer, who was one of ACT UP’s earliest leaders encouraged him to pull together a timeline for the organization and this book is the result of the task.

From Washington Blade

In his preface, Solomon suggests that other movements can learn from this one.

From The Daily Beast

Music journalist Joel Selwin annotates, with a preface by Donovan, a foreword by Jorma Kaukonen, and an afterword by John Poppy.

From The Daily Beast

I quote Immanuel Kant in my preface, defining enlightenment as mankind coming out of its self-imposed immaturity.

From The Daily Beast

Elizabeth Drew writes about that in the preface of her republished book about Nixon.

From The Daily Beast

An excerpt from Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain by Charles R. Cross, recently re-released with a new preface.

From The Daily Beast

Without preface, he abruptly asked, what had been told him of the Duke of Wharton's behaviour the preceding night.

From Project Gutenberg

This poem is a rather free translation of a similar poem by Guillaume de Deguileville, as pointed out in the Preface, p. 60.

From Project Gutenberg

These last three verses are a kind of preface to the following chapter, which is written in the style of an epistle from the king.

From Project Gutenberg

But I am anxious to make three inquiries relative to this really important document and its fictitious preface.

From Project Gutenberg

The first edition prints Richardsons preface and two complimentary letters.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• foreword
• preamble
• prologue