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Webster 1913 Edition


Preface

Pref′ace

(?; 48)
,
Noun.
[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
.]
1.
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.
This superficial tale
Is but a
preface
of her worthy praise.
Shakespeare
Heaven’s high behest no
preface
needs.
Milton.
2.
(R. C. Ch.)
The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.
Addis & Arnold.
Proper preface
(Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.)
,
a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons.
Syn. – Introduction; preliminary; preamble; proem; prelude; prologue.

Pref′ace

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Prefaced
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Prefacing
.]
To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to;
as, to
preface
a book discourse
.

Pref′ace

,
Verb.
I.
To make a preface.
Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1828 Edition


Preface

PREF'ACE

,
Noun.
[L. proefatio; proe, before, and for, fari, fatus, to speak.] Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay, intended to inform the hearer or reader of the main design, or in general, of whatever is necessary to the understanding of the discourse, book or essay; a poem; an introduction or series of preliminary remarks.

PREF'ACE

,
Verb.
T.
To introduce by preliminary remarks; as, to preface a book or discourse. The advocate prefaced his argument with a history of the case.
1.
To face; to cover; a ludicrous sense.
Not prefacing old rags with plush.

PREF'ACE

,
Verb.
I.
To say something introductory.

Definition 2024


préfacé

préfacé

See also: preface, Preface, and préface

French

Verb

préfacé m (feminine singular préfacée, masculine plural préfacés, feminine plural préfacées)

  1. past participle of préfacer