preface: [14] Preface is a misleading sort of word. It has no connection with face. It comes ultimately from Latin praefātiō, a derivative of praefārī ‘say beforehand’. This was a compound verb formed from the prefix prae- ‘before’ and fārī ‘speak’ (source of English fable, fate, etc). So etymologically, preface is virtually the equivalent of the native formation foreword. => fable, fame, fate
preface (n.)
late 14c., from Old French preface "opening part of sung devotions" (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prefatia, from Latin praefationem (nominative praefatio) "fore-speaking, introduction," in Medieval Latin "prologue," noun of action from past participle stem of praefari "to say beforehand," from prae "before" (see pre-) + fari "speak" (see fame (n.)).
preface (v.)
1610s, from preface (n.). Related: Prefaced; prefacing.
双语例句
1. He has written a fine preface to the play.
他为这个剧本写了一篇精彩的序言.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. Several pages of closely reasoned argument preface her account of the war.
她那部关于战争的著述之前有几页论证严谨的序言.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. The preface to this book is on the preceding page.
前边一页是这本书的序言.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
4. The preface of the book includes an account of the author's life.
该书前言记述了作者生平.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
5. The subject has been referred to cursorily in the preface.