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† proˈface, int. and n. Obs.
[a. obs. F. prou fasse! in full bon prou vous fasse! (also as n. prouface, 1588 in Godef.) ‘may it do you good’; f. prou prow1 + fasse (3rd pers. sing. pres. subj. of faire to do):—L. faciat; cf. proficiat.]
A. int. or phr. A formula of welcome or good wishes at a dinner or other meal, equivalent to ‘may it do you good’, ‘may it be to your advantage’.
1515Barclay Egloges iii. (1570) C iij/1 A naturall foole of reason dull and rude, Proface Coridon, thus do I here conclude. 1575Laneham Let. (1871) 5 Thus proface ye with the Preface. 1580Stow Chron. 955 Before the second course, the Cardinall came in booted and spurred, all sodainely amongest them, and bade them Proface. 1597Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, v. iii. 30 Master Page, good M. Page, sit: Proface. 1630J. Taylor (Water P.) Praise Hempseed Wks. iii. 61 Proface my Masters, if your stomackes serue. 1638Heywood Wise Woman iv. i. Wks. 1874 V. 335 The dinner's halfe done, and before I say Grace, and bid the old Knight and his guest proface.
B. n. A salutation or good wish in drinking, a toast drunk to a person's health. rare.
1586B. Young Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iv. 195 This speech makes me think..yt we haue ended our taske, and are now come to the last Proface. |