ETYM French préface; cf. Spanish prefacio, prefacion, Italian prefazio, prefazione; all from Latin praefatio, from praefari to speak or say beforehand; prae before + fari, fatus, to speak. Related to Fate.
1. Something written as an introductory to a book or essay; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
2. Something spoken as an introduction to a speech., or.

To furnish with a preface; SYN. premise, introduce.