What is the Latin word for preface?

The usual Latin words for “preface” are prooemium, praefātiō, affīgō; also praefor. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“preface” in Latin

prooemiuma preface, introduction, prelude; a beginning praefātiōpreface, prologue; appellation, title, honorific; preface (liturgical prayer)affīgōto fix or fasten on to; to affix or attach; to annex; to imprint or impress on praeforto say, utter, mention beforehand or in advance; to preface; to say a preliminary prayer

The English word preface itself goes back to Latin for, through prefātia.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

preface

prooemium (an introduction at the beginning of a treatise, etc.): praefatio (a verbal introduction to a speech, etc.; but allowable in the sense of preface to a book, as a written work takes the place of a spoken disputation, etc.; thus Col. often uses praefari in this sense; e.g., Lib., 1, praef., § 33): the preface to a book, prooemium libri (☞ not ad librum); prooemium libro additum. To write a preface, prooemium scribere: to prefix a preface to a work, libro prooemium addere or affigere: I will make no preface, omitto proloqui (Ter., Phorm. 5, 6, 21).

preface v.

prooemiari or prooemium scribere (to write a preface): praefari, praefationem dicere (orally): to preface a few words, pauca praefari.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for preface?: The usual Latin words for “preface” are prooemium, praefātiō, affīgō; also praefor. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.