HOW TO PRONOUNCE
preface
/ˈpɹɛfəs/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:33
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What does preface mean?
noun
- A 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.
- An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
- A variable prayer forming the prelude or introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer or canon of the Mass, following the Sursum corda dialogue and leading into the Sanctus.
More meanings (4)
noun
- A title or epithet.
- Alternative letter-case form of preface (“prayer before the canon of the Mass”).
verb
- To introduce or make a comment before (the main point); to premise.
- To give a preface to.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈpɹɛfəs/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
The University as a step to anything but ordination seemed, to this man of fixed ideas, a preface without a volume.
We have a proof of this in the preface of the author to the reader with which the Mare au Diable begins.
More book examples (3)
The preface of Osiander, pretending that the book of Copernicus suggested a hypothesis instead of announcing a truth, served its purpose well.
They come directly to the point, without much preface or introduction, much less is there any circumlocution or "beating about the bush".
Montaigne's preface to his "Essays" is a promise that he lived up to in the sincerity and frankness of his self and other analysis.