1. C 序言，前言　an introduction to a book or speech
2. C 开端，前奏　an action that is intended to introduce sb else more important

　contribute〔write〕 a ～　作序
　fine ～　精彩的序言
　a ～ to a book　一本书的序言

　Has your history book a preface?　你的历史书有前言吗?
　He has written a fine preface to the play.　他为这个剧本写了一篇精彩的序言。

 ♣ preface, forward, introduction
　参见introduction条。

　vt.　作为…的序言，作为…的开端act as a preface to

　～ a book　作为一本书的序言
　～ the featured movie　作为正片的开端
　～ by〔with〕　以…作为讲话的开端

　A short documentary prefaced the featured movie.　正片开始前放映了一部短纪录片。
　Several pages of closely reasoned argument preface her account of the war.　她那部关于战争的著述之前有几页论证严谨的序言。

 ♣ preface by〔with〕　(v.+prep.)
　以…为讲话的开端　introduce in the stated way
　She prefaced her remarks with a few words of welcome to the guest speaker.　她先说了几句话作为开端，以表示欢迎演讲者。
　He prefaced his words by a smile.　他先微笑，尔后开始发言。

　［同义词］ n. introduction v. begin, introduce, precede
　［词源］中古拉丁语prefatia（序言，引言）