I. ˈprefə̇s noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin prefatia, alteration of Latin praefation-, praefatio preliminary remarks, from praefatus (past participle of praefari to say beforehand, from prae- pre- + fari to say, speak) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at ban
1. often capitalized : a eucharistic prayer of thanksgiving common to most Christian liturgies forming in the Roman rite an introduction to the canon
2. : the introductory remarks of a speaker or the author's introduction to a book usually explaining the object and scope of what follows : foreword , prologue
3. : a brief paraphrase or comment formerly made upon a psalm before the singing of it in a Scottish church
4. : an approach to something : preliminary
our defeat and dismay may be the preface to our successors' victory — T.S.Eliot
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to make introductory remarks or write a preface
2. archaic : to give a commentary upon a psalm about to be sung in a Scottish church
transitive verb
1. : to say or write as preface
a note prefaced to the score — Edward Sackville-West & Desmond Shawe-Taylor
2. : to usher in : precede , herald
her cousin prefaced his speech with a solemn bow — Jane Austen
whether the coming years will preface a durable peace or another disastrous war — J.F.Dulles
3. : to introduce by or begin with a preface : furnish with a preface
prefaces it with a reasoned and sagacious introduction — Anthony Powell
4. : to stand in front of : front
shows the entrance … prefaced by an open octagonal porch — John Summerson
5. : to go before as a preface : be a preface to
its hardships and frustrations prefaced those of subsequent parties traveling in the same direction — T.D.Clark
6. archaic : to paraphrase or comment on (a psalm) in a Scottish church