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preface
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun preface has 1 sense
- preface(n = noun.communication) foreword, prolusion - a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book; Array is a part of text, textual matter
is a kind of introduction
Derived forms verb preface1, adjective prefatorial1
Verb preface has 1 sense
- preface(v = verb.communication) introduce, precede, premise - furnish with a preface or introduction; "She always precedes her lectures with a joke"; "He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution" is one way to say, state, tell
Derived form noun preface1
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something
CIDE DICTIONARY
preface, n. [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.].
- 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. [1913 Webster]"This superficial tale
Is but a preface of her worthy praise." [1913 Webster]"Heaven's high behest no preface needs." [1913 Webster] - The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass. Addis & Arnold. [1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Introduction; preliminary; preamble; proem; prelude; prologue.
preface, v. t.
To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse. [1913 Webster]
preface, v. i.
To make a preface. Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
preface, n. & v.
--n.
1 an introduction to a book stating its subject, scope, etc.
2 the preliminary part of a speech.
3 Eccl. the introduction to the central part of the Eucharistic service.
--v.tr.
1 (foll. by with) introduce or begin (a speech or event) (prefaced my remarks with a warning).
2 provide (a book etc.) with a preface.
3 (of an event etc.) lead up to (another).
--n.
1 an introduction to a book stating its subject, scope, etc.
2 the preliminary part of a speech.
3 Eccl. the introduction to the central part of the Eucharistic service.
--v.tr.
1 (foll. by with) introduce or begin (a speech or event) (prefaced my remarks with a warning).
2 provide (a book etc.) with a preface.
3 (of an event etc.) lead up to (another).
Derivative
prefatorial adj. prefatory adj.
Etymology
ME f. OF f. med.L praefatia for L praefatio f. praefari (as PRAE-, fari speak)
THESAURUS
preface
acknowledgments, anteriority, avant-propos, back, back matter, bastard title, begin, bibliography, bold front, brave face, brave front, breakthrough, catch line, catchword, colophon, contents, contents page, copyright page, dedication, display, endleaf, endpaper, endsheet, errata, exordium, facade, face, facet, facia, flyleaf, folio, fore, fore edge, forefront, foreground, forehand, foreland, forepart, forequarter, foreside, foreword, front, front elevation, front man, front matter, front page, front view, frontage, frontal, frontier, frontispiece, half-title page, head, heading, imprint, index, innovation, inscription, introduce, introduction, lap, lead, leaf, leap, makeup, obverse, open, overture, page, postulate, preamble, precede, prefix, prefixture, preliminaries, preliminary, prelude, premise, presupposition, priority, proem, prolegomena, prolegomenon, prolepsis, prologize, prologue, proscenium, protasis, recto, reverso, running title, signature, subtitle, table of contents, tail, text, title, title page, trim size, type page, usher, verse, verso, voluntary, window dressingROGET THESAURUS
preface
Precedence
VB precede, come before, come first, head, lead, take the lead, lead the way, lead the dance, be in the vanguard, introduce, usher in, have the pas, set the fashion, open the ball, take precedence, have precedence, have the start, place before, prefix, premise, prelude, preface.Precursor
N precursor, antecedent, precedent, predecessor, forerunner, vancourier, avant-coureur, pioneer, prodrome, prodromos, prodromus, outrider, leader, bellwether, herald, harbinger, foreboding, dawn, avant-courier, avant-garde, bellmare, forelooper, foreloper, stalking-horse, voorlooper, voortrekker, prelude, preamble, preface, prologue, foreword, avant-propos, protasis, proemium, prolusion, proem, prolepsis, prolegomena, prefix, introduction, heading, frontispiece, groundwork, preparation, overture, exordium, symphony, premises, prefigurement, omen, precursory, prelusive, prelusory, preludious, proemial, introductory, prefatory, prodromous, inaugural, preliminary, precedent, a precedent embalms a principle.
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