Preface (n.) Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.

Preface (n.) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.

Preface (v. t.) To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse.

Preface (v. i.) To make a preface.