preface : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: preface	by the DICT Development Group
4 results for preface
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
preface n a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book Synonym(s): foreword, preface, prolusion v furnish with a preface or introduction; "She always precedes her lectures with a joke"; "He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution" Synonym(s): precede, preface, premise, introduce
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Preface \Pref"ace\ (?; 48), n. [F. pr[82]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 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. --Shak. Heaven's high behest no preface needs. --Milton. 2. (R. C. Ch.) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass. --Addis & Arnold. {Proper preface} (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.), a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons. Syn: Introduction; preliminary; preamble; proem; prelude; prologue.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Preface \Pref"ace\, v. i. To make a preface. --Jer. Taylor.