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(gè)劇本寫了一篇精彩的序言.
來自《簡(jiǎn)明英漢詞典》
2. Several pages of closely reasoned argument preface her account of the war.