noun
preface
PREH-fuhs
noun
1
An introductory section at the start of a book, usually explaining its background or purpose.
"In the preface, the author explains why she spent ten years researching the topic."
verb
1
To introduce something with a few remarks beforehand.
"He prefaced his complaint by saying how much he usually loved the restaurant."
How to Use Preface
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn opening note before the main content, or the act of setting something up with a few words first.
Easily confused with
foreword
preamble
Common pairings
preface a remark
in the preface
write a preface
Word Forms
prefaced past tense, prefaces plural, prefaces singular
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In the _____, the author explains why she spent ten years researching the topic.
Etymology
From Old French preface, from Medieval Latin prefatia, from classical Latin praefatio, \"a saying beforehand,\" from praefari, \"to speak in advance.\"