a preliminary statement in a book by the book's author or editor, setting forth its purpose and scope, expressing acknowledgment of assistance from others, etc.

an introductory part, as of a speech.

something preliminary or introductory

The meeting was the preface to an alliance.

Ecclesiastical . a prayer of thanksgiving, the introduction to the canon of the Mass, ending with the Sanctus.

to provide with or introduce by a preface.

to serve as a preface to.

noun

appendix , conclusion , ending , epilogue , finish

verb

conclude , end , finish

noun

beginning , exordium , explanation , foreword , overture , preamble , preliminary , prelude , prelusion , proem , prolegomenon , prologuenotes:the foreword is written by someone other than the author; the preface is written by the author or editorpreface and foreword were once considered the same (latin praefari \'speak before , \' germanic/anglo-saxon vorwort \'preface\') but now preface is written by the author and foreword by someone else , induction , lead-in , prologue , front , introduction , isagoge , opening , prelude. introduction , programma , prolusion , protasis

verb

begin , commence , launch , lead , lead up to , open , precede , prefix , ushernotes:the foreword is written by someone other than the author; the preface is written by the author or editorpreface and foreword were once considered the same (latin praefari \'speak before , \' germanic/anglo-saxon vorwort \'preface\') but now preface is written by the author and foreword by someone else , usher in , explanation , front , introduce , introduction , overture , preamble , prelude , proem , prologue