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Webster 1913 Edition


Prefatory

Pref′a-to-ry

,
Adj.
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse;
as,
prefatory
remarks
.
That
prefatory
addition to the Creed.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Prefatory

PREF'ATORY

,
Adj.
Pertaining to a preface; introductory to a book, essay or discourse.

Definition 2024


prefatory

prefatory

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

prefatory (comparative more prefatory, superlative most prefatory)

  1. introductory, preliminary, serving as a prelude or preface.

Usage notes

Rather formal and academic – preliminary is less formal, while introductory is less formal still. A casual alternative is to use some form of start, as in “To start…” or “Let me start by saying…”, as opposed to “By way of prefatory remarks…”.

Translations

References

  1. prefatory” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).