different between prefatory vs prolegomenon

English

Alternative forms

• præfatory (obsolete)

Etymology

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.

Adjective

prefatory (comparative more prefatory, superlative most prefatory)

1. Serving as a preface or prelude; introductory, preliminary. [from 1670s]

Usage notes

Rather formal and academic – preliminary is less formal, while introductory is less formal still. A casual alternative is to use some form of start, as in “To start…” or “Let me start by saying…”, as opposed to “By way of prefatory remarks…”.

Translations

References

• “prefatory”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.

Anagrams

• foreparty

English

Etymology

From the Ancient Greek neuter noun: ???????????? (prolegómenon, “that which is said beforehand,”) [plural: ??????????? (prolegómena), from the verb: ????????? (prolégein, “to speak, say before[hand]”)] referring to an introduction.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p???l????m?n?n/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p?o?l????m?n?n/

Noun

prolegomenon (plural prolegomena)

1. (usually in the plural) A prefatory discussion; a formal essay or critical discussion serving to introduce and interpret an extended work.

Derived terms

• prolegomenal
• prolegomenous

Translations