# prefatory

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpɹɛfət(ə)ɹi/

## Definitions
1. Serving as a preface or prelude; introductory, preliminary.

## Etymology
From Medieval Latin *praefator + -ory (“agent”), from Medieval Latin prefatia (whence preface), for classical Latin praefatio (“a saying beforehand”) – see preface for details.
Note that this is borrowed from Latin, not derived in English from preface, as in occasional misspelling *prefecatory.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/prefatory