I. ˈpre-fəs 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
II. verb
( pref·aced ; pref·ac·ing )
Date: 1619
intransitive verb
: to make introductory remarks
transitive verb
1. : to say or write as preface
a note prefaced to the manuscript
2. : precede , herald
3. : to introduce by or begin with a preface
4. : to stand in front of
a porch preface s the entrance
5. : to be a preliminary to
• pref·ac·er noun