prefatory

The story

1. Latin · derived frompraefatio“a saying beforehand”
2. Medieval Latin · derived fromprefatia
3. Medieval Latin · derived from*praefator
4. English todayprefatory

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.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 1670s Serving as a preface or prelude; introductory, preliminary.