Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Prefatory \Pref"a*to*ry\, a. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks.
That prefatory addition to the Creed.
--Dryden.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1670s, from Latin praefat-, past participle stem of praefari (see preface (n.)) + -ory.
Wiktionary
a. introductory, preliminary, serving as a prelude or preface.
WordNet
adj. serving as an introduction or preface [syn: introductory, prefatorial]
Usage examples of "prefatory".
No sooner had I arrived than he went to business without any prefatory remarks.
Medwin, Rossetti, Forman and Dowden, as indicated in the several prefatory notes.
There are none of these idle prefatory lines which one may skip over before one comes to the subject.
Title: The Square of Sevens An Authoritative Method of Cartomancy with a Prefatory Note Author: E.
I was contracted last summer by Random House to write, in return for their usual paltry fee, some prefatory remarks for this book.
The extent of my prefatory remarks may lead some to think that I attach too much importance to my own Essay.
I know nothing finer in the medical literature of all time than this Prefatory Introduction.
When the clock was about to strike, the prefatory grating of its spring made him start, and for several seconds he panted for breath, so unnerved was he.
The present being an occasion of exceptional interest, twenty minutes past the hour saw the chairman rise for his prefatory remarks.
I think, I can with less pains write one of the books of this history, than the prefatory chapter to each of them.
And as he made his prefatory remarks, on the stage beside Huro were two bodies, corpses strapped to tables, covered by dust sheets and attended by assistants.
My senior staff and I will agree to conduct the prefatory meeting as you suggest—without the Remans and the Unificationists.