preface

préface, avant-propos

Partie au début d’un livre qui explique pourquoi ou comment il a été écrit.

En anglais simple : An opening section of a book that explains why or how it was written.

• Read the preface first.
• The author explains her aims in the preface.
• This edition includes a new preface by the editor.

Synonymes : introduction

Expressions courantes : write a preface, preface to something, author’s preface

préface

Prière de remerciement précédant la prière principale sur le pain et le vin pendant la messe.

En anglais simple : A prayer of thanks that introduces the main prayer over bread and wine during a Christian Mass.

• The priest sang the preface.
• Today’s preface refers to the Easter celebration.
• The congregation stood during the preface of the Mass.

Expressions courantes : sing the preface, eucharistic preface, preface of something

introduire, faire précéder

Dire quelque chose d’abord pour présenter ou expliquer ce que l’on va dire ensuite.

En anglais simple : To say something first to introduce or explain what you are about to say.

• She prefaced her answer with a warning.
• Let me preface this by saying that I agree with you.
• He prefaced the discussion with a short explanation.

Comment l'utiliser : preface something with something (She prefaced her remarks with an apology.); preface something by saying that… (He prefaced his answer by saying that he needed more information.)

Synonymes : introduce, lead into

Expressions courantes : preface with something, preface by saying, preface a remark

préfacer

Écrire ou ajouter une introduction au début d’un livre ou d’un document.

En anglais simple : To write or add an introductory section at the beginning of a book or document.

• She was asked to preface the book.
• The editor prefaced the volume with a short introduction.
• He has prefaced several editions of the poet’s work.

Comment l'utiliser : preface something with something (The editor prefaced the collection with an essay.)

Synonymes : introduce

Expressions courantes : preface a book, preface an edition, preface with something