prefatory

Definition

Serving as a preface or prelude; introductory, preliminary.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin *praefator + -ory (“agent”), from Medieval Latin prefatia (whence preface), for classical Latin praefatio (“a saying beforehand”) – see preface for details. Note that this is borrowed from Latin, not derived in English from preface, as in occasional misspelling *prefecatory.

Example Sentences

• "We must begin by showing how the Diamond first fell into the hands of my uncle Herncastle, when he was serving in India fifty years since. This prefatory narrative I have already got by me in the form of an old family paper, which relates the necessary particulars on the authority of an eye-witness."
• "The "5th Mo. (May) 1939" issue of Bradshaw's Railway Shipping, and Hotel Guide for Great Britain and Ireland appears in a cream cover printed in blue and gold, and a prefatory note explains that, as 1939 is being celebrated as the centenary year of Bradshaw, it is intended to adopt this livery from now until the September issue inclusive. For October, the centenary month, Bradshaw will be published in a gold cover printed in red and blue."
• "This dialogue over coinage was itself prefatory to the attempt to cover up the mosaics of the Great Mosque in Damascus with white cloths by Caliph Umar II (who reigned from 717 to 720 and was the defeated party when Emperor Leo III broke the Muslim siege of Constantinople in 717–18) and to the subsequent edict against images by Umar’s successor, Yazid II (r. 720–24), although doubt has been cast on whether this edict really happened."