preamble etymology

Etymology:

The word "preamble" originates from the Middle French word "preambule," meaning "foreword, prologue." It is derived from the Latin "prae-" (before) and "ambulo" (to walk, proceed).

Meaning:

A preamble is an introductory statement that provides context, background, or guiding principles for a document, speech, or law. It typically sets out the purpose, scope, and intention of what follows.

Origin:

The concept of a preamble has been used in various forms throughout history. In ancient Greek and Roman legal documents, preambles were known as "proems" or "prologues." They served as a preface that outlined the context and purpose of the document.

In the Middle Ages, preambles became common in royal proclamations and charters. They proclaimed the authority of the monarch and provided a brief summary of the document's contents.

Usage:

Preambles are typically found in formal documents such as constitutions, declarations of independence, laws, and treaties. They play an important role in:

  • Establishing the authority and purpose of the document
  • Providing context and background information
  • Outlining the guiding principles that will govern the interpretation and application of the document
  • Revealing the intent and aspirations of the drafters

Examples of famous preambles include:

  • The Preamble to the United States Constitution
  • The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
  • The Preamble to the United Nations Charter

preamble relate terms

  • amble

    Etymology The word amble is derived from the Old French word ambler which means to

  • prae

    Etymology Prae is a Latin preposition meaning before or in front of It is derived

  • abaft

    Etymology Middle English abaft from Old French abaf arriere from Late Latin ab af

  • about

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

  • alley

    Etymology The word alley comes from the Old French word alée which means a passage

  • ambagious

    Etymology The term ambagious is derived from the Latin word ambages which means a

  • ambassador

    Etymology Latin ambactus meaning servant retainer French ambassadeur from ambact

  • ambi

    Etymology Late Latin ambiguus doubtful uncertain Ultimately from Proto Indo Europe

  • ambidexterity

    Etymology Ambi Latin both dexter Latin right hand Meaning Ambidexteri

  • ambidextrous

    Etymology The word ambidextrous originates from two Latin words ambi meaning bot

  • ambience

    Etymology The word ambience comes from the Latin word ambire meaning to surround o

  • ambient

    Etymology Latin ambiēns present participle of ambīre to go around Meaning Su

  • ambiguous

    Etymology Ambiguous etymology refers to words whose origin and history are uncertain or

  • ambit

    Etymology The word ambit has Latin origins It derives from the Latin word ambire me

  • ambition

    Etymology and Meaning of Ambition The word ambition comes from the Latin word ambitio

  • ambitious

    Etymology Latin ambi meaning both around Latin īre meaning to go ous suff

  • amble

    Etymology The word amble is derived from the Old French word ambler which means to

  • ambulance

    Etymology The word ambulance comes from the Latin ambulantia meaning to walk or

  • ambulant

    Etymology The word ambulant comes from the Latin word ambulare meaning to walk

  • ambulate

    Etymology Latin ambulare meaning to walk Proto Indo European h₂em meaning to

  • ambulatory

    Etymology The word ambulatory derives from the Latin word ambulare meaning to walk

  • amphi

    Etymology Greek ἀμφί amphi Meaning On both sides About around Origin T

  • amphibian

    Etymology The word amphibian comes from the Greek words amphi ἀμφί and bios

  • Amphictyonic

    Etymology and Meaning of Amphictyonic Etymology The term amphictyonic is derived from

  • amphisbaena

    Etymology The word amphisbaena comes from the Ancient Greek words amphi meaning bo

  • Amphiscians

    Etymology Greek amphi both sides skia shadow Meaning Amphiscians refers

  • amphitheater

  • amphora

    Etymology Greek amphoreus from amphi both pherein to carry Meaning A two

  • amputate

    Etymology From Latin amputare meaning to cut off Derived from amb meaning ar

  • amputation

    Etymology of Amputation Origin Latin amputationem nominative amputatio meanin

  • ancillary

    Etymology Ancillary derives from the Latin word ancilla meaning maidservant or

  • andante

    Etymology Andante is derived from the Italian present participle of andare meaning t

  • anfractuous

    Etymology Latin anfractus a winding bend Proto Indo European h₂n̥k to ben

  • begin

    Etymology The word begin comes from the Old English word beginnan which means to pe

  • beleaguer

    Etymology Old French belaguer from Late Latin bellicare from Latin bellicus of w

  • between

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words their form and their semantic changes over

  • bivouac

    Etymology French bivouac German biwak camp place of encampment Swiss German bivak

  • circumambulate

    Etymology Latin circum around ambulare to walk Meaning To walk around or

  • embassy

    Etymology The word embassy comes from the French word ambassade which in turn deriv

  • ember days

    Etymology and Meaning of Ember Days The term ember days is derived from the Latin phras

  • funambulist

    Etymology From Late Latin funambulus from funis rope ambulare to walk Mea

  • ombudsman

    Etymology The word ombudsman originates from the Old Swedish word ombuds which mean

  • perambulate

    Etymology Latin perambulare Prefix per through over Root ambulare to walk

  • perambulation

    Etymology Latin perambulare to walk through or around Per through ambulare

  • preamble

    Etymology The word preamble originates from the Middle French word preambule meanin

  • somnambulate

    Etymology Somno Latin sleep Ambulare Latin to walk Meaning To walk or be

  • somnambulism

    Etymology Somnambulism comes from the Latin somnus meaning sleep and ambulare m

  • umlaut

    Etymology German Umlaut Old High German Umbilūti um around about lūt inclina

  • prolegomenon

    Etymology Greek pro before logos discourse on suffix indicating a work

  • commando

    Etymology The word commando derives from the Afrikaans word kommando which refers to

  • machine

    Etymology of Machine The word machine originates from the Greek term mekhane which

  • preface

    Etymology The word preface comes from the Latin word praefatio which means somethi

  • introduce

    Etymology The Study of Word Origins Etymology is a branch of linguistics that investigat

  • reduction

    Etymology Reduction is derived from the Latin verb reducere which means to lead ba

  • document

    Etymology The word document originates from the Latin word documentum which means p

  • precede

    Etymology Latin prae meaning before Latin cēdere meaning to go Meaning T

  • introduction

    Etymology The word introduction originates from the Latin verb introducere meaning

  • premise

    Etymology The word premise comes from the Old French word premise which in turn come