Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
pre·am·ble
\\ˈprē-ˌam-bəl, prē-ˈ\\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Middle French preambule, from Medieval Latin preambulum, from Late Latin, neuter of praeambulus walking in front of, from Latin prae- + ambulare to walk
DATE 14th century
1. an introductory statement; especially : the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law2. an introductory fact or circumstance; especially : one indicating what is to follow preamble
late 14c., 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).
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
preamble
pre·amble / pri5Ambl; 5pri:Ambl / noun [C, U]
(formal) an introduction to a book or a written document; an introduction to sth you say
序言；绪论；导言；前言；开场白:
The aims of the treaty are stated in its preamble.
条约的宗旨已在序言中说明。
She gave him the bad news without preamble.
她开门见山地把坏消息告诉了他。
preamble noun
⇨ introduction 2
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
pre·am·bleI. \ˈprēˌambəl, -ˌaam-, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\
noun
(
-s)
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French
preambule, from Medieval Latin
praeambulum, from Late Latin, neuter of
praeambulus walking in front, from Latin
prae- pre- +
-ambulus (from
ambulare to walk) — more at
amble
1. : an introductory part (as to a book, document)
: introduction
,
preface
;
specifically : the introductory part of a statute, ordinance, or regulation that states the reasons and intent of the law or regulation or is used for other explanatory purposes (as to recite facts knowledge of which is necessary to an understanding of the law or to define or limit the meanings of words used in the law) — compare
purview
2. : an introductory fact or circumstance
: preliminary
;
especially : one that gives indication of what is to follow
II. intransitive verb
(
-ed/-ing/-s)
: to make a preamble