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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

préface

préface

See also: preface, Preface, and préfacé

French

Alternative forms

Noun

préface f ‎(plural préfaces)

  1. preface
    Je suis convaincu que les oeuvres qui durent ne durent que par des malentendus, par toute la littérature dont la postérité les entoure, littérature où les intentions véritables des auteurs finissent par être noyées du tout et perdues de vue. Cela peut se faire déjà de leur vivant. Quelque temps ils luttent : préfaces, interviews, notes et éclaircissements... Puis, comme ils aiment créer, et que tout le temps donné à ces commentaires est perdu pour une création nouvelle, un moment vient où, de guerre lasse, ils laissent dire. (Montherlant, Notes théâtre, 1954)

Derived terms

Verb

préface

  1. first-person singular present indicative of préfacer
  2. third-person singular present indicative of préfacer
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of préfacer
  4. first-person singular present subjunctive of préfacer
  5. second-person singular imperative of préfacer

References

“préface” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Etymology

From Old French preface, from Medieval Latin prefatia, from Classical Latin praefātiō ‎(“preface, prologue”), from praefor, praefārī ‎(“speak beforehand”), from prae- ‎(“beforehand”) + for, fārī ‎(“speak”).

Pronunciation

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