preface /ˈprɛfɪs/ CET4 TEM4 ( prefacing, prefaced, prefaces )

• 1. 

  N-COUNT A preface is an introduction at the beginning of a book that explains what the book is about or why it was written. 前言

  例：

  ...the preface to Kelman's novel.

  …凯尔曼小说的前言。

• 2. 

  V-T If you preface an action or speech with something else, you do or say this other thing first. 说…作为开场白; 做…作为开始

  例：

  I will preface what I am going to say with a few lines from Shakespeare.

  我将引用莎士比亚的几行诗作为我讲话的开场白。