The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
preamble — pre·am·ble / prē ˌam bəl, prē am / n [Middle French preambule, from Medieval Latin preambulum, from Late Latin, neuter of preambulus walking in front of, from Latin prae + ambulare to walk]: an introductory statement (as to a contract); esp: the… … Law dictionary
Preamble — Pre am ble, v. t. & i. To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble. [R.] Feltham. Milton. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
preamble — (n.) late 14c., from O.Fr. preambule (13c.), from M.L. preambulum, neuter adjective used as a noun, properly preliminary, from L.L. praeambulus walking before, from L. prae before (see PRE (Cf. pre )) + ambulare to walk (see AMBLE (Cf. amble)) … Etymology dictionary
preamble — *introduction, prologue, prelude, preface, foreword, exordium … New Dictionary of Synonyms
preamble — ► NOUN ▪ a preliminary statement; an introduction. ORIGIN Old French preambule, from Latin praeambulus going before … English terms dictionary
preamble — [prē′am΄bəl, prē am′bəl] n. [ME < MFr preambule < ML praeambulum, neut. of LL praeambulus, going before < L praeambulare, to precede < prae , before + ambulare, to go: see AMBLE] 1. an introduction, esp. one to a constitution, statute … English World dictionary
Preamble — A preamble is an introductory statement in a document that explains the document s purpose and underlying philosophy. When applied to the opening paragraphs of a statute, it may recite historical facts pertinent to the subject of the statute. It… … Wikipedia
preamble — UK [prɪˈæmb(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms preamble : singular preamble plural preamble formal 1) an introduction to a document, speech, or report explaining its purpose 2) something that happens or comes before something else The fighting … English dictionary
preamble — A prefatory statement most aptly illustrated by the fifty two words at the beginning of the Constitution of the United States. A clause in a statute, following the title and preceding the enacting clause, explanatory of the reasons for the… … Ballentine's law dictionary
preamble — pre|am|ble [priˈæmbəl US ˈpri:æmbəl] n [U and C] [Date: 1300 1400; : French; Origin: préambule, from Late Latin praeambulus walking in front ] formal a statement at the beginning of a book, document, or talk, explaining what it is about preamble… … Dictionary of contemporary English
