frontispiece etymology

Etymology

The word "frontispiece" originates from the following Latin roots:

• Frons: forehead, face
• Specere: to look, behold

Meaning

A frontispiece is an illustration, engraving, or other decorative element that appears on the first page or facing page of a book. It serves as a visual representation of the book's content or theme.

Origin

The use of frontispieces in books can be traced back to the Middle Ages when illuminated manuscripts featured elaborate illustrations on the first page. During the Renaissance and later periods, frontispieces became increasingly common and played an important role in the overall design and appeal of a book.

Frontispieces were initially hand-drawn and painted. With the advent of printing, they were engraved onto metal or wood blocks and mass-produced. In the 19th and 20th centuries, frontispieces continued to be used in various forms, including photographs, lithographs, and digital prints.

Purpose

Frontispieces serve multiple purposes:

• Decoration: To enhance the visual appeal and aesthetic value of the book.
• Representation: To visually depict the main theme, subject, or characters of the book.
• Introduction: To provide context or set the stage for the narrative that follows.
• Marketing: To attract attention to the book and make it more appealing to potential readers.

Types

There are various types of frontispieces, including:

• Title page frontispieces: Artwork that is incorporated into or adjacent to the title page.
• Full-page frontispieces: Entire pages dedicated to an illustration or engraving.
• Portraits: Images of the book's author or characters.
• Maps: Depictions of the settings or geographical locations mentioned in the book.
• Abstract artwork: Non-representational designs that evoke emotions or reflect the overall tone of the book.

frontispiece relate terms

• front

  Etymology The word front comes from the Old French word front which is derived from

• brink

  Etymology The word brink comes from the Old English word brincan meaning to the edg

• piece

  Etymology Piece derives from the Old French word piece meaning fragment share por

• aspect

  Etymology Aspect comes from the Latin word aspectus which means a look or a view

• auspex

  Etymology Latin auspex auspicis Meaning A person who practices augury the ancie

• auspices

  Etymology Latin auspicium from avis bird spěcio look at Meaning and Orig

• auspicious

  Etymology Latin auspicium Derived from auspicium auspex augur icium actio

• bishop

  Etymology From Middle English bischop from Old English biscop from Frankish biskups

• circumspect

  Etymology Latin circumspectus past participle of circumspicere to look around Cir

• conspicuous

  Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible

• episcopal

  Etymology Episc Greek Over upon or above Op Greek Face view aspect al Latin

• especial

  Etymology The Spanish term especial derives from the Latin word specialis which mea

• espionage

  Etymology French espionnage spying espionage Late Latin exspionare to track fi

• espy

  Etymology The word espy comes from the Old French word espier which means to watch

• expect

  Etymology Middle English expecten from Anglo Norman French expecten from Latin exspe

• frontispiece

  Etymology The word frontispiece originates from the following Latin roots Frons for

• gyroscope

  Etymology Greek gyros ring skopein to view Meaning A gyroscope is a devi

• haruspex

  Etymology The word haruspex derives from two Latin roots haruspic or haruspic

• horoscope

  Etymology and Meaning Horoscope is derived from the Late Latin word horoscopus whic

• inspect

  Etymology Latin inspectus past participle of inspicere to look into examine Prefi

• inspection

  Etymology The word inspection comes from the Latin inspectio which means a view o

• inspector

  Etymology Latin inspector inspector Meaning A person appointed to examine or over

• introspect

  Etymology The word introspect originates from the Latin words intro meaning inward

• introspection

  Etymology The word introspection is derived from two Latin roots Intro meaning w

• perspective

  Etymology Perspective comes from the Latin word perspicere which means to see throu

• perspicacious

  Etymology of Perspicacious Perspicacious originates from the Latin word perspicax

• perspicacity

  Etymology Perspicacity originates from the Latin word perspicacitās which is deriv

• prospect

  Etymology and Meaning The word prospect has Latin origins deriving from prospectar

• prospective

  Etymology Latin prospectivus Meaning Relating to or characterized by looking forw

• respect

  Etymology The word respect derives from the Latin word respectus meaning a lookin

• respite

  Etymology of Respite The word respite comes from the Latin word respicere meaning t

• retrospect

  Etymology The word retrospect comes from the Latin roots retro meaning back and

• scope

  Etymology The word scope comes from the Middle English term scōp which itself ori

• skeptic

  Etymology Latin scēpticus from Greek skeptikos inquiring derived from skeptesth

• species

  Etymology is the study of the origin of words their history and how their meanings have

• specimen

  Etymology Latin specimen meaning pattern model or sample Meaning A rep

• specious

  Etymology The word specious has Latin roots deriving from the following speciōsus

• spectacle

  Etymology The word spectacle is derived from the Latin word spectaculum which means

• spectacular

  Etymology The word spectacular comes from the Latin word spectare which means to l

• spectrum

  Etymology The word spectrum comes from the Latin word spectrum which means appariti

• speculate

  Speculate Etymology Latin speculari to observe to watch From specere to look

• speculation

  Etymology The word speculation comes from the Latin word speculatio which means spy

• spice

  Etymology The word spice comes from the Old French word espice which in turn comes f

• suspect

  Etymology The word suspect is derived from the Latin word suspectus meaning distru

• suspicion

  Etymology The word suspicion comes from the Old French word suspection which is itse

• suspicious

  Etymology Suspicious is derived from the Late Latin word suspiciosus meaning dist

• telescope

  Etymology Greek tele far skopos watcher Meaning A telescope is an optica

• bowdlerize

  Etymology Originated from the name of Thomas Bowdler an English physician and editor

• skinflint

  Etymology From earlier skin flint meaning a person who holds tightly to his her money

• nostalgia

  Etymology The word nostalgia originates from two Greek words Nostos νόστος

• premium

  Etymology The word premium comes from the Latin word praemium meaning reward or

• orange

  Etymology Late Middle English as an adjective from Old French orenge from orenge f

• wisdom

  Etymology From Middle English wisdom from Old English wīsdōm from Proto West German

• cynic

  Etymology The word cynic comes from the Greek word κυνικός kunikos which me

• conceit

  Etymology The word conceit derives from the Latin word conceptus meaning conception