preamble

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pre·am·ble

(prē′ăm′bəl, prē-ăm′-)

1. A preliminary statement, especially:

a. The introduction to a formal document that explains its purpose.

b. A statement accompanying a law or regulation specifying its purpose or reason for enactment.

2. An introductory occurrence or fact; a preliminary.

[Middle English, from Old French preambule, from Medieval Latin praeambulum, from neuter of Late Latin praeambulus, walking in front : Latin prae-, pre- + Latin ambulāre, to walk; see ambulate.]

pre·am′bu·lar′y (-byə-lĕr′ē) adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

preamble

(priːˈæmbəl)

1. a preliminary or introductory statement, esp attached to a statute or constitution setting forth its purpose

2. a preliminary or introductory conference, event, fact, etc

[C14: from Old French préambule, from Late Latin praeambulum walking before, from Latin prae- before + ambulāre to walk]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pre•am•ble

(ˈpriˌæm bəl, priˈæm-)

n.

1. an introductory statement; preface.

2. the introductory part of a statute, deed, constitution, or other document, stating the intent of what follows.

3. a preliminary or introductory fact or circumstance.

[1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin praeambulum, n. use of neuter of Late Latin praeambulus walking before. See pre-, amble]

pre′am`bled, adj.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	preamble - a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose) introduction - the first section of a communication document, papers, written document - writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
Verb	1.	preamble - make a preliminary introduction, usually to a formal document preface, premise, precede, introduce - furnish with a preface or introduction; "She always precedes her lectures with a joke"; "He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution"

preamble

noun introduction, prelude, preface, foreword, overture, opening move, proem, prolegomenon, exordium, opening statement or remarks the principles contained in the preamble to the Chinese constitution

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

preamble

noun

A short section of preliminary remarks:

foreword, induction, introduction, lead-in, overture, preface, prelude, prolegomenon, prologue.

Translations

Spanish / Español

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preamble

[priːˈæmbl] N → preámbulo m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

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References in classic literature ?

"Consul," said he, without preamble, "I have strong reasons for believing that my man is a passenger on the Mongolia." And he narrated what had just passed concerning the passport.

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And the third suggestion I cannot state until I have made a preamble. Like hundreds of thousands of others, I have worked in other fields, striving to organize the mass of mankind into movements for the purpose of ameliorating its own wretchedness and misery.

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"My dear colleagues," said Barbicane, without further preamble, "the subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its composition, and its weight.

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O dear Madam!" answers Honour, "you must not tell me that, when your ladyship is in this taking, and when there hath been such a preamble between your ladyship and Madam Western."--"Don't teaze me," cries Sophia; "I tell you nothing is the matter.

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No doubt they will wonder why I have made such a preamble about it, as indeed, now I think of it, so do I.

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The fishing ended, the provision of air renewed, I thought that the Nautilus was about to continue its submarine excursion, and was preparing to return to my room, when, without further preamble, the Captain turned to me, saying:

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But, however, even if I should stumble on such a family again, which is quite unlikely, I have all this experience to begin with, and I should manage better another time; and the end and aim of this preamble is, let me try again.'

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But, before a wheel turns, listen to a brief preamble through the cardiaphone, which shall point out to you an object of interest on life's sightseeing tour.

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Miss Bartlett at once came forward, and after a long preamble asked a great favour: might she go to church?

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Noirtier's face remained perfectly passive during this long preamble, while, on the contrary, Villefort's eye was endeavoring to penetrate into the inmost recesses of the old man's heart.

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"Yes, dear?" she rejoined, so gently that he wondered at the lack of wonder with which she received this preamble.

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You are going to know all; and, without further preamble, I am going to place before your eyes the problem of The Yellow Room as it was placed before the eyes of the entire world on the day following the enactment of the drama at the Chateau du Glandier.