/ ˈprefəs; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
an introduction to a book, especially one that explains the author's aims
—compare foreword
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
preface sth (with sth) to provide a book or other piece of writing with a preface :
He prefaced the diaries with a short account of how they were discovered.
2.
preface sth by / with sth | preface sth by doing sth ( formal ) to say sth before you start making a speech, answering a question, etc. :
I must preface my remarks with an apology.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from medieval Latin praefatia , alteration of Latin praefatio(n-) words spoken beforehand, from the verb praefari , from prae before + fari speak.