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View synonyms for

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:

  2. an introductory part, as of a speech.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  3. something preliminary or introductory:

    The meeting was the preface to an alliance.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

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


verb (used with object)

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

preface

/ ˈɛɪ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to furnish with a preface
  2. to serve as a preface to
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈڲ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • a· noun
  • ܲ·a adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of preface1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin ŧپ, for Latin پō “a saying beforehand,” equivalent to (ܲ) (past participle of ī “to say beforehand”; pre-, fate ) + -ō- -ion
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Word History and Origins

Origin of preface1

C14: from Medieval Latin پ, from Latin پō a saying beforehand, from ī to utter in advance, from prae before + ī to say
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Let me preface any answer by saying, I suppose I’m trying to make sense of it like anybody.

From

It’s much bigger, it’s much more luxurious, there’s a new forward, Kara Swisher has written a preface, and there’s a few extra photos in there.

From

Oddly, in the last proofs of the book before it was withdrawn, the minister had actually added a preface, praising Jul's "malicious touch and razor-sharp eye."

From

And so he prefaces that he’s not trying to be a “pretentious a—” when explaining the appeal of his chocolate but adds that after making some initial batches, he went on a chocolate-buying spree.

From

Footage from the trial is prefaced by a brief explanation of the shooting, including pictures of Hutchins and Souza.

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prefabricateprefatory