prefatory

adjective (prefatory) — formal

«prefatory» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(formal) Prefatory means coming at the beginning as an introduction, like a preface to a book or a short speech before the main one. tree →

In the lessons

It belongs to the stiff, formal voice of books, exams and official speeches: «prefatory remarks», «a prefatory note». Everyday English says «introductory» or «opening». It tells the reader that what follows is only a starter before the main part.

Examples

(formal) The author wrote a prefatory note explaining the book. tree →
(formal) After some prefatory remarks, the head teacher announced the winners. tree →
The prefatory chapter is short. tree →
(formal) Read the prefatory instructions before answering. tree →
Her prefatory words thanked the parents. tree →
The report begins with a prefatory summary. tree →
(everyday) Before the main talk, he said a few opening words. tree →
(formal) The prefatory pages are numbered i, ii, iii. tree →

Note

Formal and rare. Pronounced PREF-a-tor-ee. Related noun: preface (PREF-iss). Synonyms: introductory, opening, preliminary.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «prefatory» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«prefatory» in the school dictionary on Mova free.

This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/prefatory/