Etymograph

English

preface

Preface comes from Medieval Latin prefātia, from Latin praefātiō ‘a saying beforehand’, and ultimately from Proto-Italic *prai.

  1. Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*prai‘before’reconstructed
  2. Proto-Italic, derivedc. 1500–700 BCE*prai-‘pre-, before’reconstructed
  3. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEpraefor‘to speak beforehand’
  4. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEpraefātiō‘a saying beforehand’
  5. Medieval Latinc. 600–1500prefātia
  6. Old Frenchc. 842–1400preface
  7. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
  8. Englishearliest quotation 1591same form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history uncertain.

Lineage

  1. Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*prai‘before’reconstructed
  2. Proto-Italic, derivedc. 1500–700 BCE*prai-‘pre-, before’reconstructed
  3. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEpraefor‘to speak beforehand’
  4. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEpraefātiō‘a saying beforehand’
  5. Medieval Latinc. 600–1500prefātia
  6. Old Frenchc. 842–1400preface
  7. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
  8. Englishearliest quotation 1591same form

Earliest quotation: 1591, William Shakespeare, The First Part of Henry the Sixt: “This superficial tale / Is but a preface of…”

The story

Late 14th century, from Middle English preface, prefas, from Old French preface (from which derives the modern French préface), from Medieval Latin prefātia, for classical Latin praefātiō (‘a saying beforehand’), from praefor (‘to speak beforehand’), from prae- (‘beforehand’) + for (‘to speak’).

Linked words

through Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- ‘before, in front’

for, first, premier, forbid, prairie, primer, primate, parasol, parley, portobello, primacy, 17 more

through Proto-Italic *prai ‘before’

pre, premonition, 8 more

through Proto-Italic *prai- ‘pre-, before’

prestigious, prefix, preeminent, prescient, precede, impregnate, 6 more

Today it means

noun A beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book, typically serving to contextualize or explain the writing of the book and sometimes to acknowledge others' contributions; especially, such a discussion written by the work's own author.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Proto-Italic *prai / preface

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