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preamble
7 dictionary results for: preamble
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pre·am·ble 
[pree-am-buhl, pree-am-] Pronunciation Key
[pree-am-buhl, pree-am-] Pronunciation Key –noun
| 1. | an introductory statement; preface; introduction. |
| 2. | the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows. |
| 3. | a preliminary or introductory fact or circumstance: His childhood in the slums was a preamble to a life of crime. |
| 4. | (initial capital letter) the introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution, setting forth the general principles of American government and beginning with the words, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union. …” |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| pre·am·ble
(prē'ām'bəl, prē-ām'-) Pronunciation Key
n.
[Middle English, from Old French preambule, from Medieval Latin praeambulum, from neuter of praeambulus, walking in front : prae-, pre- + ambulāre, to walk; see ambulate.] pre·am'bu·lar'y (-byə-lěr'ē) adj. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
preamble
preamble
c.1386, from O.Fr. preambule (13c.), from M.L. preambulum, neut. adj. used as a noun, properly "preliminary," from L.L. præambulus "walking before," from L. præ- "before" + ambulare "to walk" (see amble).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| preamble | |
noun | |
| 1. | a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose) |
verb | |
| 1. | make a preliminary introduction, usually to a formal document |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: pre·am·ble
Pronunciation: 'prE-"am-b&l, prE-'am-
Function: noun
Etymology: 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); especially : the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law
NOTE: While preambles do not state law and therefore are not judicially enforceable, they are used to determine legislative intent when interpreting statutes.
Main Entry: pre·am·ble
Pronunciation: 'prE-"am-b&l, prE-'am-
Function: noun
Etymology: 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); especially : the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law
NOTE: While preambles do not state law and therefore are not judicially enforceable, they are used to determine legislative intent when interpreting statutes.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Preamble
Pre"am`ble\, n. [LL. praeambulum, from L. praeambulus walking before, fr. praeambulare to walk before; prae before + ambulare to walk: cf. F. pr['e]ambule. See Amble.] A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Preamble
Pre"am`ble\, v. t. & i. To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble. [R.] --Feltham. Milton.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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