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.

Prefac(i)o(u)n, -atyown, -atio(u)n(e, n. [ME and e.m.E. prefacioun (Wyclif), prefacion (1529), præfation (1652), obs. F. prefacion, L. præfātio.] a. The Eucharistic Preface or introduction or prelude to the central part of the Eucharistic service (the consecration, etc.). b. A preface. —a. c1420 Wynt. v 1377.
Adryanys … Wes Pape off Rome, and ordanyt ay Sanctus … at the mess to say, Neyst efftyre the prefatyown [v.rr. prefacion, prefacioun] c1490 Irland Asl. MS. 39/24.
Augustyne … in the prefacoun of the mes in Lentryne sayis [etc.] a1538 Abell 44 a.
Paip Gelais … ordanit the canon of the mes the prefatioun the sequence [etc.] … hes did Sanct Ambros beforeb. c 1588 Cath. Tr. 252/21.
Ye confes this your selfes in the prefatione of our new Byble