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.
例文
1. He has written a fine preface to the play.
彼はこの脚本のためにすばらしい序文を書いた.
2.Several pages of closely reasoned argument preface her account of the war.
彼女の戦争に関する著述の前には、厳密な序文がいくつかある。
3.The preface to this book is on the preceding page.
前のページがこの本の序文です。
4.The preface of the book includes an account of the author 's life.
この本の前文には著者の生涯が記述されている。
5.The subject has been referred to cursorily in the preface .