præamble

A form of preamble — A short preliminary statement or remark, especially an explanatory introduction to a formal document or statute.

Meanings

nounpræamble (plural præambles)

plural præambles

  1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of preamble.
    2 more examples

    That the word “magnates” beares the meaning of “commoners,” as well as lords, is expounded by a parlement itſelfe, in the præamble to the ſtatute Staple; wherin is ſaid. “Wheras good deliberation had with the prelats, dukes, earles, barons, and great men of the counties; that is to ſay, of every countey one, for all the countey, &c.ᵃ” So that the word “magnates” here is expreſſely uſed for “commoners, knights of ſhires;” and may therfore beare the like conſtruction in other times, and places. So in a plea rolle, in the tower, a law is mentioned made by the king, biſhops, earles, “barons, and other great men,” and the king’s councell; where magnates are reckoned beſides, and after, baronsᵇ.

    1766, Bulſtrode Whitelocke, Whitelockes notes uppon the kings writt for choosing members of parlement (XIII car II), page 134

    The conquerour, to winne the fauour of the people, did yeeld to them to be gouerned by St. Edward’s laws. And yet, that hee might the better ouer-rule, he followed the courſe of the French and Norman gouernment. That was, in appointing ſtately offices to high and noble perſonages, knowing this to be a cheife poynt in gouernment, to haue authority regarded : as it is ſet downe in the præamble of the ſayd Black booke.

    1775, A Collection of Curious Diſcourſes Written by Eminent Antiquaries upon Several Heads in Our Engliſh Antiquities, volume II, page 78
Cite this entry
APA

præamble. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pr%C3%A6amble

MLA

“præamble.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pr%C3%A6amble. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “præamble,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pr%C3%A6amble.

Source: præamble on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.