PREFACE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Preface

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/prˈɛfəs/ Listen

noun

Preface n.

Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks. "This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise." "Heaven's high behest no preface needs."

(R. C. Ch.) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.

Proper preface (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.), a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons.

Synonyms: Introduction; preliminary; preamble; proem; prelude; prologue.

verb

Preface v. t. (past & past part. prefaced; pres. part. prefacing) To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse.

Preface v. i. To make a preface.

See images of 'Preface'

Etymology of 'Preface'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Preface" Quotes from Famous Books

... apposite quotation, and steadily bettered it as he grew older, would certainly have said 'Yes' to this. At all events learning impresses; it carries weight: and therefore it has always seemed to me that he showed small tact, if some modesty, by heaping whole pages of Schlegel into his own preface. ...

— Characters of Shakespeare's Plays • William Hazlitt

... preface to a novel with no direct historical source always seemed to me somewhat out of place, since I believed that the author could be indebted solely to his own imagination. I have learned, however, that even in a novel pur sang it is possible to owe much to ...

— The Native Born - or, The Rajah's People • I. A. R. Wylie

... of this hero of romance were imaginary. But indeed, among the multitude of Poe's readers, was there ever one, with the sole exception of Len Guy, who believed them to be real? The story is told by the principal personage. Arthur Pym states in the preface that on his return from his voyage to the Antarctic seas he met, among the Virginian gentlemen who took an interest in geographical discoveries, Edgar Poe, who was then editor of the Southern Literary Messenger at Richmond, ...

— An Antarctic Mystery • Jules Verne

... not have commenced by realising the gigantic comprehensiveness of his undertaking. An accepted theory has been that his primary idea was a history of his own country, not of the world. It has been usual to cite a sentence of the preface in proof. The passage does not confirm the hypothesis. It runs: 'Beginning with the Creation, I have proceeded with the history of our world; and lastly proposed, some few sallies excepted, to confine my discourse ...

— Sir Walter Ralegh - A Biography • William Stebbing

... Without further preface, he conducted them into his little schoolroom, which was parlor and kitchen likewise, and told them they were welcome to remain till morning. Before they had done thanking him, he spread the table, and besought them ...

— Ten Girls from Dickens • Kate Dickinson Sweetser

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