preface

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See also: Preface, préface, and préfacé

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Late 14th century, from Middle English preface, prefas, from Old French preface (from which derives the modern French préface), from Medieval Latin prefātia, for classical Latin praefātiō (“a saying beforehand”), from praefor (“to speak beforehand”), from prae- (“beforehand”) + for (“to speak”).

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US)(file)
  • IPA(key): /ˈpɹɛfəs/, /ˈpɹɛfɪs/
  • Rhymes: -ɛfəs

Noun

preface (plural prefaces)

  1. A beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book, typically serving to contextualize or explain the writing of the book and sometimes to acknowledge others' contributions.
    Synonyms: (in some contexts) foreword, introduction, proem, (in some contexts) prologue; see also Thesaurus:foreword
    The book included a brief preface explaining the author's motivations for writing.
  2. An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
  3. (Christianity) A variable prayer forming the prelude or introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer or canon of the Mass, following the Sursum corda dialogue and leading into the Sanctus.
    Meronyms: protocol, embolism, eschatocol
  4. A title or epithet.
    • 2008, W. Bruce Kippen, Lords of the Frontier:
      […] a black-tie dinner to celebrate on the eve of the ceremony which would remove the preface "Sir" from his name and replace it with the preface "Lord," thought by some to be one of the most potent words in the English language.

Translations

introduction before the main text

Verb

preface (third-person singular simple present prefaces, present participle prefacing, simple past and past participle prefaced)

  1. (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.
  2. (transitive) To give a preface to.
    to preface a book

Translations

to introduce a text

Related terms

See also

Further reading

Romanian

Etymology

From pre- +‎ face.

Verb

a preface (third-person singular present preface, past participle prefăcut) 3rd conj.

  1. to change
  2. (reflexive) to pretend

Conjugation

    conjugation of preface (third conjugation, past participle in -ut)
infinitive a preface
gerund prefăcând
past participle prefăcut
number singular plural
person 1st person 2nd person 3rd person 1st person 2nd person 3rd person
indicative eu tu el/ea noi voi ei/ele
present prefac prefaci preface prefacem prefaceți prefac
imperfect prefăceam prefăceai prefăcea prefăceam prefăceați prefăceau
simple perfect prefăcui prefăcuși prefăcu prefăcurăm prefăcurăți prefăcură
pluperfect prefăcusem prefăcuseși prefăcuse prefăcuserăm prefăcuserăți prefăcuseră
subjunctive eu tu el/ea noi voi ei/ele
present să prefac să prefaci să prefacă să prefacem să prefaceți să prefacă
imperative — tu — — voi —
affirmative prefă prefaceți
negative nu preface nu prefaceți
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