prefatory

Often pref·a·to·ri·al

[pref-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a preface.

   prefatory explanations.

prefatory

/ ˌprɛfəˈtɔːrɪəl, ˈprɛfətərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. of, involving, or serving as a preface; introductory

Other Word Forms

• prefatorily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prefatory¹

1665–75; < Latin praefāt ( iō ) preface + -ory ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of prefatory¹

C17: from Latin praefārī to say in advance; see _preface

Example Sentences

But biologists studying everything from yeast to snakes to humans have recently unearthed a plethora of so-called noncanonical ORFs, which lack those prefatory snippets and are shorter than average.

From Science Magazine

As Chin writes in a prefatory author’s note, her family’s history traveled down to her primarily via oral history.

From Washington Post

I dropped the prefatory clause, since everyone ignores anyway.

From Salon

The prefatory clause has been dismissed as but one application of the operative clause, which establishes an individual right of gun ownership for purposes of self-defense.

From Washington Post

Heller, the majority concluded that despite the prefatory language relating to a militia, the amendment created an individual right to keep and bear arms.

From Washington Times