praefātĭo, ōnis, f. [praefor], a saying beforehand; concr.,
- I. That which is said or repeated beforehand, a form of words (esp. relig. or jurid.), formula: praefatio donationis, Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 80, § 186: sacrorum, Liv. 45, 5, 4: ultionis, Val. Max. 6, 3, 1: triumphi, Plin. 7, 26, 27, § 98.
- 2. A preliminary hearing, an introductory address (law t. t.), Dig. 45, 1, 134.
- II. That which precedes a discourse or writing, a preface, prologue (post-Aug.): vocabula rustica aut externa cum honoris praefatione ponenda, saying, by your leave, Plin. praef. § 13: numquam tristiorem sententiam sine praefatione clementiae pronunciavit, Suet. Dom. 11: C. Cassius numquam sine praefatione publici parricidii nominandus, Val. Max. 2, 8, 8: jucundissime Imperator (sit enim haec tui praefatio verissima), qs. appellation, title, Plin. praef. § 1: nullā praefatione factā judici rem exponere, without preface, without any introduction, Dig. 1, 2, 1.
Of remarks before a recitation, designed to win the favor or avert the displeasure of hearers, a preface; also of books: praefationem dicere, Plin. Ep. 1, 13, 2; 2, 3, 1; 4, 11, 14; 4, 14, 8; Quint. 7, 1, 11; 8, 3, 31; 11, 1, 67; Mart. 3, 18, 1 al.