prefacePREF'ACE, n. [L. proefatio; proe, before, and for, fari, fatus, to speak.] Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay, intended to inform the hearer or reader of the main design, or in general, of whatever is necessary to the understanding of the discourse, book or essay; a poem; an introduction or series of preliminary remarks. PREF'ACE, v.t. To introduce by preliminary remarks; as, to preface a book or discourse. The advocate prefaced his argument with a history of the case. PREF'ACE, v.i. To say something introductory. |