Middle English Dictionary Entry
prē̆fāce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prē̆fāce n. Also prefas. |
| Etymology | From OF preface & L praefātio, -iōnis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Liturg. An introduction to the canon of the Mass; the proper preface for a given occasion [1st quot.]; (b) an invocation of God used in the coronation rite.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1380) Chaucer CT.SN.(Manly-Rickert)G.271 : Of the myracle of thise corones tweye, Seint Ambrose in his preface [vr. prefas] list to seye.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.307 : Gelasius..ordeyned þat ordres schulde be i-ȝeve in foure tymes in þe ȝere, and made þe comyn prefas [Higd.(2): preface quotidian; L quotidianam præfationem] þat is i-songe in chirches, 'Vere dignum et justum est', and so forþ anon to 'dies nostros'.
- a1425 LFMass Bk.(Cmb Gg.5.31)143 : Þe prest wyll þan in þt place Sone begynne preface þat begynnes with 'per omnia' And seyne [read: seþne] 'sursum corda'; And at þe ende says 'sanctus' thrys.
- a1425 NHom.Corp.Chr.(Hrl 4196)530 : Þan þe pape Leones Ordand þe preface [Vrn: Prefaciuns] at þe mes.
- ?a1425 Wycl.CChron.(2) (Em 85)176/35 : Pope Gelasius ordeyned orisouns, tractis, ympnis, and prefacis of þe masse, 'vere dignum et iustum est'.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.IVMass (Trin-C R.3.21)290 : Next the secrete aftyr the offertory, The prefas foloweth aftyr [read: afore] the sacrament.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)239/5 : He stode at the auter in the preface of the masse..and..he a-rerede vp his hondes vnto God.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)105/38 : Whan þe preface is seyde at masse, þey schul knelyn at þe orisoun til 'Dominus uobiscum', be it Feest or feri, & nat biforne, & so for to stonde til 'Per dominum'.
b
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)166 : Aftyr the oyntynge he layde hym doune prostrate a-gayne; Thenne the archebyschoppys raddyn solempne colettys with a solempne prefas.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)59/1 : The prephace begynneth in the iiij book.
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)59/26 : The prephace endith.
Note: New sense: "prephace" = introduction to a literary work.
Note: OED first records sense in 1484 (Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i 'Here begyneth the preface or prologue of the fyrste book.')