preface

/'prefis/

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Word: Preface

Part of Speech: Noun and Verb

Definition:

1. As a Noun: A preface is a short introductory section at the beginning of a book. It often explains the purpose of the book, the author's intentions, or how to use the book.

   • Example: "In the preface of her novel, the author explains her inspiration for the story."

2. As a Verb: To preface means to introduce something with a short explanation or a remark.

   • Example: "He prefaced his speech by thanking everyone for attending."

Usage Instructions:

• When you see the word "preface" used as a noun, think of it as a way for the author to talk to the reader before they start reading the main content of the book.
• As a verb, you can use "preface" when you want to describe someone giving context or background information before continuing with the main point.

Advanced Usage:

In academic writing or formal speeches, a preface can include acknowledgments, historical context, or a summary of significant themes. This helps the audience understand the author's perspective and sets the stage for the main content.

Word Variants:

• Prefaced (verb, past tense): "She prefaced her comments with a joke."
• Prefacing (verb, present participle): "He is prefacing his report with some background information."

Different Meanings:

• In broader contexts, "preface" can also refer to any introductory statement or action that prepares the audience for what is to come, not just in books.

Synonyms:

• Introduction
• Foreword
• Prologue (although "prologue" often refers specifically to a literary work, while "preface" is more general)

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "To set the stage": This means to prepare the audience for what will happen next, similar to preface in its function.

• "To lay the groundwork": This means to prepare the foundation for something that will follow, echoing the idea of providing introductory context.

Summary:

In summary, "preface" is a useful word for both writing and speaking, allowing you to introduce ideas and context effectively.

Academic

Noun

1. a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

Verb

1. furnish with a preface or introduction
   • She always precedes her lectures with a joke
   • He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution

Synonyms

• foreword
• prolusion
• precede
• premise
• introduce