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.
雙語例句
1. He has written a fine preface to the play.
他為這個劇本寫了一篇精彩的序言.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
2. Several pages of closely reasoned argument preface her account of the war.
她那部關于戰爭的著述之前有幾頁論證嚴謹的序言.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
3. The preface to this book is on the preceding page.
前邊一頁是這本書的序言.
來自《現代漢英綜合大詞典》
4. The preface of the book includes an account of the author's life.
該書前言記述了作者生平.
來自《現代漢英綜合大詞典》
5. The subject has been referred to cursorily in the preface.