pref|ace

pref|ace
pref|ace «PREHF ihs», noun, verb, -aced, -ac|ing.
–n.
1. an introduction to a book, writing, or speech: »

Does your history book have a preface written by the author?

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under introduction. (Cf. ↑introduction)
2. Figurative. something preliminary or introductory: »

He…seemed to look upon a certain mass of disappointment as the natural preface to all realizations (Thomas Hardy).

3. Also, Preface. the introduction to the Cánon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.
–v.t.
1. to introduce by written or spoken remarks; give a preface to.
2. to be a preface to; begin: »

A depressing and difficult passage has prefaced every new page I have turned in life (Charlotte Brontë).

╂[< Old French preface, ultimately < Latin praefātiō < praefārī to preface, foretell < prae- before + fārī speak]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • ace — ace·di·ast; ace; ace·naph·thene; ace·naph·the·nyl; ace·naph·thy·lene; ace·pha·lia; ace·phal·ic; ace·quia; ace·ria; ace·tic; ace·ti·fi·ca·tion; ace·ti·fi·er; ace·ti·fy; ace·to·ac·et·an·i·lide; ace·to·ac·e·tate; ace·to·ace·tic; ace·to·ace·tic;… …   English syllables

  • pref — pref; pref·ac·er; pref·a·to·ri·al; pref·a·to·ri·ly; pref·a·to·ry; pref·er·a·bil·i·ty; pref·er·a·ble; pref·er·a·ble·ness; pref·er·ence; pref·er·en·dum; pref·er·ent; pref·er·en·tial; pref·er·en·tial·ism; pref·er·en·tial·ist; pref·ace;… …   English syllables

  • preface — pref·ace …   English syllables

  • preface — pref|ace1 [ prefəʃ ] noun count 1. ) an introduction to a book or a speech 2. ) an event that happens before a more important event preface pref|ace 2 [ prefəʃ ] verb transitive FORMAL to say, do, or write something before you say, do, or write… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • preface — pref•ace [[t]ˈprɛf ɪs[/t]] n. v. aced, ac•ing 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… …   From formal English to slang

  • Preface — Pref ace, v. 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Preface — Pref ace, v. i. To make a preface. Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Preface — Pref ace (?; 48), n. [F. pr[ e]face; 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Prefaced — Preface Pref ace, v. 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Prefacing — Preface Pref ace, v. 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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