n.
Pronunciation: ' pre-f ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin prephatia, alteration of Latin praefation-, praefatio foreword, from praefari to say beforehand, from prae- pre- + fari to say ― more at BAN
Date: 14th century
1 often capitalized : a variable doxology beginning with the Sursum Corda and ending with the Sanctus in traditional eucharistic liturgies
2 : the introductory remarks of a speaker or author
3 : APPROACH , PRELIMINARY