proface

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From Middle French bon prou vous fasse (may [it] do you much good).

Interjection

[edit]

proface

  1. (obsolete) A familiar salutation or welcome offered by a host before a meal or drinks are served.
    • c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, []”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]:
      Sweet sir, sit; I’ll be with you anon; most sweet sir, Master Page, good Master Page, sit. Proface! What you want in meat, we’ll have in drink.
    • 1602, Thomas Heywood, A pleasant conceited comedie, wherein is shewed, how a man may chuse a good wife from a bad[1], London: Mathew Lawe:
      Gloria deo, sirs proface,
      Attend me now whilst I say grace.
    • 1612, Thomas Dekker, If it be not good, the Diuel is in it[2], London: John Trundle:
      Thankes be giuen for flesh and fishes,
      With this choice of tempting dishes:
      To which proface: with blythe lookes sit yee,
      Rush bids this Couent, much good do’t yee.

References

[edit]

Anagrams

[edit]