preface

preface
\ \ [14] Preface is a misleading sort of word. It has no connection with face. It comes ultimately from Latin praefātiō, a derivative of praefārīsay beforehand’. This was a compound verb formed from the prefix prae- ‘before’ and fārīspeak’ (source of English fable, fate, etc).
\ \ So etymologically, preface is virtually the equivalent of the native formation foreword.
\ \ Cf.FABLE, FAME, FATE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • préface — [ prefas ] n. f. • prefaice fin XIIe; lat. præfatio, de præfari « dire d avance » 1 ♦ Texte placé en tête d un livre qui est de l auteur ou d une autre personne, et qui sert à le présenter au lecteur. ⇒ avant propos, avertissement, avis,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Preface — • The first part of the Eucharistic prayers in all rites Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Preface     Preface     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • preface — PREFACE. s. f. Avant propos, discours preliminaire que l on met ordinairement à la teste d un livre pour preparer le lecteur. Grande, longue preface. belle preface. preface ennuyeuse. faire une preface. l Autheur a mis une excellente preface à la …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • preface — PREFÁCE, prefác, vb. III. 1. tranz. şi refl. A da sau a lua o formă nouă, un conţinut nou; a (se) transforma, a (se) modifica, a (se) schimba, a (se) preschimba. 2. tranz. A repara, a reface un obiect, schimbându i (parţial sau total) aspectul,… …   Dicționar Român

  • Preface — Préface Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Preface — Pref ace, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prefaced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Prefacing}.] To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Preface — Pref ace (?; 48), n. [F. pr[ e]face; cf. Sp. prefacio, prefacion, It. prefazio, prefazione; all fr. L. praefatio, fr. praefari to speak or say beforehand; prae before + fari, fatus, to speak. See {Fate}.] 1. Something spoken as introductory to a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • preface — Preface, et prologue d un livre, Propos preparatif de ce que nous voulons dire puis apres, Prologus, Praefatio, Exordium. Celuy qui recite la preface és comedies, Prologus. Faire une preface, un preambule, ou une entrée de plaidoirie, Exordium… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • preface — ► NOUN 1) an introduction to a book, stating its subject, scope, or aims. 2) the preliminary part of a speech. ► VERB 1) provide with a preface. 2) (preface with/by) begin (a speech or event) with or by doing something. DERIVATIVES …   English terms dictionary

  • preface — [pref′is] n. [ME prefas < MFr < ML prefatia, for L praefatio < prae , before (see PRE ) + fatus, pp. of fari, to speak: see FAME] 1. [usually P ] R.C.Ch. the introduction to the Canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus 2. an… …   English World dictionary

  • Preface — Pref ace, v. i. To make a preface. Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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