preface 
U usually couflned to particulars relating to the origin, 
history, scope, or aim of the work to which It U prefixed. 
I thoughte it good to speakc somewhat hereof, trusting 
yat the pleaaaunt oonteniplacton of the UihiK It aclfc shal 
make the h-iiL'th of tin-. /</./<( lease tedious. 
It. Kden, First hooks on America, Kp. to Reader 
[(ed. Arber, p. ). 
Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale 
I but a preface of her worthy praise. 
Shot., 1 Hen. VI., T. 5. 11. 
How prologues Into preface! decay. 
And these to notes are frltter'd quite away. 
Pope, Duuciad, I. 277. 
2. [cap. or I. c.] In liturgies, the introductory 
section of the anaphora; the solemn eucharistic 
thanksgiving and ascription of glory introdu- 
cing the canon. The Preface Is found of the same type 
in all liturgies. It begins with the Sursuin Corda, gen- 
ermlly preceded in early and Oriental forms by the apos- 
tolic (2 Cor. xlti. 14) or a similar benediction. After an 
exhortation to give thanks (Response : "It is meet and 
right . . ."X the Preface In the narrower sense begins 
with the affirmation (contestation) "It is very [truly] meet, 
etc., to give thanks ..." The reason for thankfulness 
la given In the central division of the form. This in early 
and Oriental liturgies is invariable, and still retains much 
of its original character of an extended ascription of glory 
to God and rehearsal of hU dealings with man from the 
<Teatlon and Fall onward. In Western liturgies a num- 
ber of proper Preface! Is provided, varying according to 
the day or season. Probably these were originally sec- 
tions of the primitive Preface or of the earlier part of the 
Canon, selected as appropriate to the season or modeled 
on such sections. The Preface terminates with the Sanc- 
tns. Also, in Galilean uses, contestation, illation, immola- 
tion. 
The preface is one of the most ancient, as it is one of 
the most universal, rites of the Church. 
J. M. Xeale, Eastern Church, I. 464. 
3. A title; an introductory or explanatory 
epithet. 
I say he is not worthy 
The name of man, or any honest preface, 
That dares report or credit such a slander 
Fletcher (and another), Love's Pilgrimage, v. 5. 
preface (pref 'as), v. ; pret. and pp. prefaced, 
ppr. prefacing. [< preface, .] I. trans. 1. 
To give a preface to; introduce by preliminary 
written or spoken remarks, or by iiu action sig- 
nificant of what is to follow. 
He call'd his friend, and prefaced with a sigh 
A lover's message. Crabbe, Works, II. 29. 
Dinner, and frequently breakfast, is prefaced with a 
amorgas (butter-goose), consisting of anchovies, pickled 
herrings, cheese, and brandy. 
B. Taylor, Northern Travel, p. 201. 
2. To say as a preface ; write or utter in view 
or explanation of what is to follow. 
Before I enter upon the particular parts of her charac- 
ter, It Is necessary to preface that she is the only child of 
a decrepit father, whose life is bound up In hers. 
Steele, Spectator, No. 449. 
3. To front; face; cover. [Rare.] 
I love to wear clothes that arc flush. 
Not prefacing old rags with plush. Cleaceland. 
II. tntruus. To give a preface; speak, write, 
or do something preliminary to later action. 
4686 
city the powers of the king or consuls during their absence; 
after 487 & c., as a permanent elective magistrate, he was 
empowered t.. maintain peace and <<i dei in the city. After 
246 n. c. . when the tlrst priftor urbamm was appointed, the 
lmix>rtance of the prefect's office vanished ; but iU judicial 
functions were much enlarged by Augustus. Under ' <>M 
stantine the prefects were direct representatives of the 
emperor's person, civil governors of provinces or of chief 
cities. The title of prefect was also given to the com- 
mander of the fleet and to t lie commander of the pretoriana, 
or troops who guarded the emperor's person, as well as to 
several other chief officials and magistrates. (6) The chief 
administrative official of a department of France; a prc- 
f et The office dates from the year 1800 ; the prefect Is ap- 
pointed by the head of the state, and 1s the intermediary 
between the department and the central government- he 
is charged with the execution of the laws, with the super- 
intendence of the police and of the administration, with 
the appointment of many minor officers, etc. He Is as- 
sisted by the council of prefecture and the general coun- 
cil, (c) In China, a name given by foreigners to a chili tu, 
or head of a department See chih-fu. 
2f. A director. 
The psalm, thus composed by David, was committed to 
the prefect of his muslck. 
Hammond, Works, IV. 68. (Latham.) 
3t. Tutelary divinity; presiding deity. 
Venus ... la preefect of marriage. 
B. Jonton, Hue and Cry of Cupid. 
Prefect of police, in France, the head of the police ad- 
ministration or prefecture of police, exercising especial 
authority in Paris and the region about Paris 
prefectoral (pre-fek'to-ral), a. [< prefect + 
-or + -al.] Belonging or pertaining to a pre- 
fect; exercised by a prefect: as, prefectoral au- 
thority. 
A few days since a company made propositions to the 
prefectoral administration with regard to the left bank of 
the Seine. Electric Ken. (Eng.X XXIV. 35. 
It Is proposed also to reduce the number of pn-fectural 
councils [in France) from eighty-six to twenty-six. 
Contemporary flee., 111. 436. 
prefectorial (pre-fek-to'ri-al), a. [< prefect + 
-or + -ial.] Same as prefectoral. 
prefectship (pre'fekt-ship), n. [< prefect + 
-ship.] Kame as prefecture. 
prefectural (pre-fek'tu-ral), a. [< prefecture 
+ -al.] Pertaining or belonging to a prefec- 
ture. Encyc. Jirit., XXIV. 722. 
prefecturate (pre-fek'tu-rat), . [Irreg. < pre- 
fecture + -afef.] A prefecture. [Rare.] 
The rumors that arose as to a prefecturate being offered 
him [Edinond AboutJ proved unfounded. 
Men of the Third Itepublic, p. 282. 
prefecture (pre'fek-tiir), n. [Also jirxfecture ; 
= F. prefecture = Sp.prefectwa = Pg. prefei- 
tura = It.prcfcttura, < L. pnefcctura, the office 
of a prefect, < preefectuf, a prefect: see pre- 
fect.] 1. The office or jurisdiction of a pre- 
fect, chief magistrate, commander, or viceroy. 
Onr blessed Saviour, baring prefac'd concerning pru- 
dence, adds to the Integrity of the precept, and for the 
conduct of our religion, that we be simple aa well aa pru- 
dent, Innocent as well as wary. 
Jer. Taylor, Sermons, II. xxiii. 
prefacer (pref'as-er), n. [< preface + -eri.] 
One who prefaces; the writer of' a preface. 
The public will scarce be Influenced In their judgment 
by an obscure prefacer. 
Goldsmith, Pref. to Memoirs of a Protestant, 
prefactor (pre-fak'tor), n. The first or opera- 
tive factor in a product of two factors, 
prefatorial (pref-a-td'ri-al), a. [< prefatory + 
-n/.] Prefatory ; 'introductory. 
Much prefatorial matter also may arise, before we begin 
the discourse. Gilpin, Sermons, Pref. 
prefatorily (prof'a-to-ri-li), adc. By way of 
preface. 
prefatory (pref'a-to-ri), a. [< L. priefatus, pp. 
of priefari, say beforehand, premise (see pref- 
ace), + -ory.] Belonging to a preface; serving 
as or resembling a preface; introductory. 
Then, after somewhat more of prefatory matter, follow. 
In quick succession, the poems themselves. 
Tidmor, Span. Lit, 1. 72. 
= 8yn. Introductory, preliminary, precursory, prepara- 
tory. See introduction. 
prefect (pre'fekt ), n. [Also prefect; = F. prefet 
= Sp. ),rrfecto = I'g. prefecto, prefeito = It. pre- 
I'tto, < L. jirtffrctiix, an overseer, president, 
director, chief, prefect, prop, adj., prafectu*, 
set over, pp. of priejicrre, set over, place in 
authority over, < pra, before, above, + facere, 
do, make: see///*-/.] 1. A governor, command- 
er, entef magistrate, or superintendent specm- 
cally (a) A name common to several officer! military 
and civil, in ancient Rome, who held particular com- 
mands or had charge of certain department.. Thus, the 
prefect or warden of the city at first exercised within the 
The army or its commanders becoming odious to the 
people, he (Cromwell] had sacrificed them to the hope of 
popularity, by abolishing the civil prefecture* of the ma- 
jor-generals, llallam. Hist. Eng., II. 255. 
2. The district under the government of a pre- 
fect. 
preference 
You would not prefer her to my acceptance, In the 
weighty consequence of marriage. 
It. Jiinmn, Eplcoene, 1L 3. 
I preferred Mr. Philip (nephew of Milton) to the service 
of my Lord Chamberlainc. Evelyn, Diary, Sept 18, 1077. 
4. To bring forward or advance in dignity or 
office; raise; exalt. 
For to conne it la an excellent tbyng, 
And cause of many mannys preferring. 
Jtom. of Partenay (E. E. T. S.), fnt.,1. 105. 
Whom I would I abased, and preferred whom I thought 
UaHuyft Yuuagei, II. 9. 
What, those that were our fellow pages but now, so soon 
preferred to be yeomen of the bottles .' 
/;. Jonion, Cynthia's Kevels, ii. 1. 
It is not honesty, learning, worth, wisdom, that pref en 
Burton, Anat of Mel., p. 377. 
6. To set before other things in estimation; 
hold in greater liking or esteem ; choose ; in- 
cline more toward. 
The care of the sowle and sowles matters are to be pre- 
ferred before the care of the body. 
Speiuer, State of Ireland. 
He pref em Us love of Truth before his love of the Peo- 
P'- Milton, Eikonoklastes, xi. 
The husband. If he can conveniently so arrange gener- 
ally prefers that his mother should reside with him and 
his wife. E. W. Lane, Modern Egyptians, I. 219. 
6. Specifically, in law, to give a preference to. 
See preference, 2. 
There are certain debts In England, Scotland, and the 
United States which are said to be privileged that la, such 
debts as the executor may pay before all others for ex- 
ample, funeral expenses or sen-ants' wages. In English 
law the term preferred rather than " privileged" Is gen- 
erally applied to auch debt*. Encyc. Brit., XIX. 704. 
7f. To outrank ; be reckoned preferable to. 
I graunte it wel, I have noon envfe 
Though maydeuhede pref em bigamye. 
Chaucer, Prol. to Wife of Bath s Tale, L 96. 
Preferred creditor. See creditor. Preferred stock 
preference shares (which see, under preference). = Syu. 5 
Elect, Select, etc. See choose. 
preferability (pref'er-a-bil'i-ti), . [< prefer- 
able + -ity (see -bitity).] The state or quality 
of being preferable. J. S. Mill. 
preferable (pref 'er-a-bl), a. and . [= F. pre- 
ferable (cf. Sp. preferible = Pg. preferivcl = 
It. prefenbilc); us prefer + -able.] I. a. 1. 
Worthy to be preferred ; more desirable. 
Almost every man in our nation Is a politician, and hath 
a scheme of his own which he thinks preferable to that of 
any other person. Addiion, Freeholder, No. 48. 
Sound sense, in my opinion, is preferable to bodiless. In- 
comprehensible vagaiies. 
Landor, Chesterfield and Chatham. 
2f. Preferring; exhibiting preference; arising 
from choice. 
The arrangement of prafeclures and dioceses the crum- 
bling Into little bits of the older provinces, is practically 
the work of Diocletian. The Academy, Jan. 25, 1890, p. 67. 
3. The official residence of a prefect. 4. A 
term often used by foreigners in and writers 
on China as equivalent to fu, an administra- 
tive division consisting of several districts 
called liien or chotr. See fu.- Council of prefec- 
ture, a tribunal In each department of France, which is 
nominated by the executive and assists the prefect in his 
administration. 
prefer (pre-fer'), v. t. \ pret. and pp. preferred, 
ppr. preferring. [< ME. preferren, <T OF. pre- 
ferer, F.prefcrer = Sp. Pg. preferir = It. pre- 
ferire, < L. preeferre, place or set before, < pry, 
before, +ferre, bear, place, = E. beari. Cf. con- 
fer, infer, refer, etc.] 1. To bring or set be- 
fore; present; proffer; offer. 
He spake, and to her hand preferr'd the bowl Pope. 
2. To offer for consideration or decision ; set 
forth; present in a conventional or formal man- 
ner, as a suit, prayer, or accusation. 
To Mistress Dobson he preferred his suit ; 
There proved his service, there addressed his vows. 
Crabbe, Works, I. 75. 
Accusation was formally preferred, and retribution most 
signal was looked for. Lamb, Christ's Hospital. 
Each prefen his separate claim. 
Tennynn, In Memoriam, cli. 
3f. To bring into notice or favor; recommend. 
My father haulng some natural affection to me when 
I was but xij yeares olde. did prefer me to the serulce of 
Captalne Jcnkeusoti. K. Webbe, Travels (ed. Arber). p. 17. 
Yon are most bound to the king, 
Who lets go by no vantages that may 
Prefer you to his daughter. 
Shot., Cymbellne, It 8. 61. 
She Is a princess I j.rri.r thee to. 
Beau, and fl., Phllaster, II. 1. 
They will have It that I have a preferable regard for Mr 
Lovelace. IticharJiion, Clarissa Harlowe, I. 171. 
II. n. Something which is to be preferred ; 
any object or course of action which is more 
desirable than others. 
preferableness (pref 'er-a-bl-nes), M. The char- 
acter or state of being preferable. 
My purpose is not to measure or weigh the preferable- 
neste of several! vocations. 
W. Montague, Devoute Essays, I. x. 7. 
preferably (pref'er-a-bli), adv. In or by pref- 
erence; by choice of'one thing rather than an- 
other; in a manner exhibiting preference. 
To follow my own welfare preferably to those I love Is 
Indeed a new thing to me. Pope, To Mrs. B. 
preference (pref er-ens), n. [= F. preference 
= Sp. Pg. prefcrencia = It. preferenza, < ML. 
pneferentia, preference, < L. prxfcrcn(t-)s, ppr. 
of preeferre, place or set before : see prefer.] 
1. The act of preferring or choosing one thing 
rather than another, or the state of being pre- 
ferred or chosen ; estimation of one thing above 
another; choice. 
Where then the preference shall we place. 
Or how do justice In this case ? 
Coirper, Epistle to Robert Lloyd. 
Jews had by that time earned the reputation, In Koman 
literature, of being credulous by preference amongst the 
children of earth. DC (fuincey, Secret Societies, U. 
That perfect state of mind at which we must aim and 
which the Holy Spirit impart*, Is a deliberate prefemet 
of Hod's aervicc to every tiling else, a determined resolution 
to give up all for Him. 
J. U. Seteman, Parochial Sermons, I. 180. 
Whatever be the variety In the sources of pleasure, 
whatever be the moral or conventional estimate of their 
U'Mtliiness, if a given state of consciousness is pleasant 
we seek to retain It, If painful to be rid of It; we prefer 
greater pleasure before less, less pain before greater This 
Is, In fact the whole meaning of preference aa a psycho- 
logical term. J. Ward, Encjrc. Brit, XX. 71. 
2. Specifically, in l<nr. the payment or right to 
have payment of one debt or class of debt H made 
by a debtor or out of his estate, in full, before 
any of the assets are. applied to unpreferred 
