preface

pref·ace

P0519100 (prĕf′ĭs)n.1. a. A preliminary statement or essay introducing a book that explains its scope, intention, or background and is usually written by the author.b. An introductory section, as of a speech.2. Something introductory; a preliminary: An informal brunch served as a preface to the three-day conference.3. often Preface The words introducing the central part of the Eucharist in several Christian churches.tr.v. pref·aced, pref·ac·ing, pref·ac·es 1. To introduce by or provide with a preliminary statement or essay.2. To serve as an introduction to.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praefātiō, praefātiōn-, from praefātus, past participle of praefārī, to say before : prae-, pre- + fārī, to speak; see bhā- in Indo-European roots.]

pref′ac·er n.

preface

(ˈprɛfɪs) n1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a statement written as an introduction to a literary or other work, typically explaining its scope, intention, method, etc; foreword2. anything introductory3. (Roman Catholic Church) RC Church a prayer of thanksgiving and exhortation serving as an introduction to the canon of the Massvb (tr) 4. to furnish with a preface5. to serve as a preface to[C14: from Medieval Latin praefātia, from Latin praefātiō a saying beforehand, from praefārī to utter in advance, from prae before + fārī to say] ˈprefacer n

pref•ace

(ˈprɛf ɪs)

n., v. -aced, -ac•ing. n. 1. a preliminary statement in a book by the author or editor, setting forth the book's purpose, acknowledging the assistance of others, etc. 2. an introductory part, as of a speech. 3. a preliminary or introductory event, circumstance, etc. 4. a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus. v.t. 5. to provide with or introduce by a preface. 6. to serve as a preface to. [1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Medieval Latin prēfātia, for Latin praefātiō=praefā(rī) to say beforehand (see pre-, fate) + -tiō -tion] pref′ac•er, n. syn: See introduction.

preface

Past participle: prefaced
Gerund: prefacing

Imperative
preface
preface

Present
I preface
you preface
he/she/it prefaces
we preface
you preface
they preface

Preterite
I prefaced
you prefaced
he/she/it prefaced
we prefaced
you prefaced
they prefaced

Present Continuous
I am prefacing
you are prefacing
he/she/it is prefacing
we are prefacing
you are prefacing
they are prefacing

Present Perfect
I have prefaced
you have prefaced
he/she/it has prefaced
we have prefaced
you have prefaced
they have prefaced

Past Continuous
I was prefacing
you were prefacing
he/she/it was prefacing
we were prefacing
you were prefacing
they were prefacing

Past Perfect
I had prefaced
you had prefaced
he/she/it had prefaced
we had prefaced
you had prefaced
they had prefaced

Future
I will preface
you will preface
he/she/it will preface
we will preface
you will preface
they will preface

Future Perfect
I will have prefaced
you will have prefaced
he/she/it will have prefaced
we will have prefaced
you will have prefaced
they will have prefaced

Future Continuous
I will be prefacing
you will be prefacing
he/she/it will be prefacing
we will be prefacing
you will be prefacing
they will be prefacing

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been prefacing
you have been prefacing
he/she/it has been prefacing
we have been prefacing
you have been prefacing
they have been prefacing

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been prefacing
you will have been prefacing
he/she/it will have been prefacing
we will have been prefacing
you will have been prefacing
they will have been prefacing

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been prefacing
you had been prefacing
he/she/it had been prefacing
we had been prefacing
you had been prefacing
they had been prefacing

Conditional
I would preface
you would preface
he/she/it would preface
we would preface
you would preface
they would preface

Past Conditional
I would have prefaced
you would have prefaced
he/she/it would have prefaced
we would have prefaced
you would have prefaced
they would have prefaced

preface

An introduction, often explaining the structure or purpose of what follows.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	preface - a short introductory essay preceding the text of a bookforeword, prolusiontext, textual matter - the words of something written; "there were more than a thousand words of text"; "they handed out the printed text of the mayor's speech"; "he wants to reconstruct the original text"introduction - the first section of a communication
Verb	1.	preface - 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"premise, precede, introducepreamble - make a preliminary introduction, usually to a formal documentprologise, prologize, prologuize - write or speak a prologuesay, state, tell - express in words; "He said that he wanted to marry her"; "tell me what is bothering you"; "state your opinion"; "state your name"

preface

noun1. introduction, preliminary, prelude, preamble, foreword, prologue, proem, prolegomenon, exordium the preface to the English edition of the novelverb1. introduce, precede, open, begin, launch, lead up to, prefix I will preface what I am going to say with a few lines from Shakespeare.

preface

nounA short section of preliminary remarks:foreword, induction, introduction, lead-in, overture, preamble, prelude, prolegomenon, prologue.verbTo begin (something) with preliminary or prefatory material:introduce, lead, precede, usher in.

Translations

前言序言

preface

(ˈprefəs) noun an introduction to a book etc. The preface explained how to use the dictionary. 序言，前言

preface

preface (something) by (doing something)

To do something as an introduction to something else. Often used in passive constructions. Let me preface this statement by first apologizing unreservedly for what has happened. She prefaced her speech by reading well wishes written friends and family from around who couldn't make it to the wedding. The ceremony was prefaced by a performance by the school choir.See also: by, preface

preface (something) with (doing something)

To recite something as an introduction to something else. Often used in passive constructions. Let me preface this statement with an unreserved apology for what has happened. We should always preface these board meetings with a reading of the previous meeting's minutes.See also: preface

preface something by something

to begin something by saying, writing, or reading something. I would like to preface my prepared remarks by making a personal observation. Her remarks were prefaced by the reading of a poem.See also: by, preface

preface something with something

to begin something with a particular message. She prefaced her speech with a recitation of one of her favorite poems. Alice prefaced her remarks with a few personal comments.See also: preface

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preface (something) by (doing something)

preface (something) with (doing something)

preface something by something

preface something with something

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Synonyms for preface

noun introduction

Synonyms

verb introduce

Synonyms

Synonyms for preface

noun a short section of preliminary remarks

Synonyms

verb to begin (something) with preliminary or prefatory material

Synonyms

Synonyms for preface

noun a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

Synonyms

Related Words

verb furnish with a preface or introduction

Synonyms

Related Words