Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
Definition of preamble - 6 dictionary results

pre⋅am⋅ble

  [pree-am-buhl, pree-am-]
Use preamble in a Sentence
–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. …”
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < ML praeambulum, n. use of neut. of LL praeambulus walking before. See pre-, amble

Related forms:
preambled, adjective

Synonyms:
1. opening, beginning; foreword, prologue, prelude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To preamble
pre·am·ble   (prē'ām'bəl, prē-ām'-)   
n.  
  1. A preliminary statement, especially the introduction to a formal document that serves to explain its purpose.
  2. An introductory occurrence or fact; a preliminary.

[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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

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.

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.
Cite This Source

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
Cite This Source

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.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see preamble on Thesaurus | Reference