preface
pronunciation
How to pronounce preface in British English:
UK [ˈprefəs]
How to pronounce preface in American English:
US [ˈprefəs]
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- Noun:
- a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
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- Verb:
- furnish with a preface or introduction
Word Origin
- preface
- preface: [14] Preface is a misleading sort of word. It has no connection with face. It comes ultimately from Latin praefātiō, a derivative of praefārī ‘say beforehand’. This was a compound verb formed from the prefix prae- ‘before’ and fārī ‘speak’ (source of English fable, fate, etc). So etymologically, preface is virtually the equivalent of the native formation foreword.=> fable, fame, fate
- preface (n.)
- late 14c., from Old French preface "opening part of sung devotions" (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prefatia, from Latin praefationem (nominative praefatio) "fore-speaking, introduction," in Medieval Latin "prologue," noun of action from past participle stem of praefari "to say beforehand," from prae "before" (see pre-) + fari "speak" (see fame (n.)).
- preface (v.)
- 1610s, from preface (n.). Related: Prefaced; prefacing.
Synonym
Example
- 1. But the real fun erupted when I wrote the preface .
- 2. For the us version , the preface was removed entirely .
- 3. I have been asked to write a preface to the ukrainian translation of animal farm .
- 4. Hoover 's book , according to the publisher 's note that serves as a preface , was published posthumously .
- 5. I finished the preface in late fall , and the chinese translation reached me in december of 2008 .