Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Preface, n. Also: praeface, prefas(st. [ME (Chaucer, Trevisa) and e.m.E. preface, -fas, F. préface, med. L. prefatia: cf. Prefac(i)o(u)n.] A preface or introductory discourse to a literary work, course of study, prayer, reading of scripture, etc. b. = Prefac(i)o(u)n n. a.a. a1400 Leg. S. xix 632.
Of this martyre … In his preface sais Ambrose [etc.] 1558-66 Knox II 16.
So mynd I nott greattlie to lawboure by long preface to conciliat your favouris 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 68/50.
Lest my preface be langer nor my … haill mater following Id. Basil. Doron 11/8.
Præface 1600-1610 Melvill 84.
Mr. Andro maid his preface, and enterit to the comoun places: So did I, and enterit to the Hebrew grammar 1622-6 Bisset I 48/34.
That it is ane preface and inductioun to the purpois following a 1630 S. Leith Rec. II 288/1.
Ane prefasst; … Reherse the prefas c1679 Kirkton Hist. 136.
A man of many pious prefaces, but who never missed ane occasion of embracing this present world c1705 Nimmo Narr. 11.
My heart being afected with the preface the former dayb. c1420 Wynt. v 4387.
The Pape off Rome, Gelasius … Ympnys mad and wrysownys, And the preface off the mes That syne for comoune oysyd wes