preface
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
- præface (archaic)
Etymology [edit]
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 [edit]
Noun [edit]
preface (plural prefaces)
- 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.
Translations [edit]
Beginning or introductory portion coming before the main text of a document or book
|
|
Verb [edit]
preface (third-person singular simple present prefaces, present participle prefacing, simple past and past participle prefaced)
- (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.
- (transitive) To give a preface to.
- to preface a book
