'Preface' is Latin for 'a speaking before' — from 'fari' (to speak), the root behind 'fable' and 'fate.'
An introduction to a book or other literary work written by the author; a preliminary or introductory statement.
From Old French 'preface,' from Medieval Latin 'praefatia,' an alteration of classical Latin 'praefatio' (a saying beforehand, a preliminary speech), from the verb 'praefari' (to speak beforehand), a compound of 'prae-' (before, in front) + 'fari' (to speak). The Latin 'fari' descends directly from PIE *bhe2- (to speak, to say), one of the most important speech roots in the Indo-European family. This root produced Latin 'fama' (fame, that which is spoken of), 'fatum' (fate