Definition of "preface"

preface

/ˈpɹɛfəs/

noun
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.
2. An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
  Quotations
  This superficial tale / Is but a preface of her worthy praise.
  1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene v], page 118
  Heav'ns high behest no preface needs.
  1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,
  And now, without any further preface, we proceed to our next chapter.
  1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume II, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], page 7
3. (Roman Catholicism) 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.
4. A title or epithet.
  Quotations
  […] 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.
  2008, W. Bruce Kippen, Lords of the Frontier
verb
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).
2. (transitive) To give a preface to.

Definition of "preface"

preface

noun

Quotations

Quotations

verb