Preface Meaning
/ˈpɹɛfəs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book, typically serving to contextualize or explain the writing of the book and sometimes to acknowledge others' contributions; especially, such a discussion written by the work's own author.
nounAn introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
Sentence Examples
This dictionary has a preface, not a foreword.
How does the preface run?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The author wrote a short ____ to explain why he wrote the book.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The author wrote a personal ____ explaining what had inspired her to write the book.
Word Origin & History
Late 14th century, from Middle English preface, prefas, from Old French preface (from which derives the modern French préface), from Medieval Latin prefātia, for classical Latin praefātiō (“a saying beforehand”), from praefor (“to speak beforehand”), from prae- (“beforehand”) + for (“to speak”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This superficial tale / Is but a preface of her worthy praise."
— 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v], page 118:
"Heav'ns high behest no preface needs."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"And now, without any further preface, we proceed to our next chapter."
— 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume II, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, page 7:
"[…] a black-tie dinner to celebrate on the eve of the ceremony which would remove the preface "Sir" from his name and replace it with the preface "Lord," thought by some to be one of the most potent words in the English language."
— 2008, W. Bruce Kippen, Lords of the Frontier:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The author wrote a short ____ to explain why he wrote the book.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The author wrote a personal ____ explaining what had inspired her to write the book.