I.imper. praefato, Cato, R. R. 134. 1: “praefamino,” id. ib. 141, 2; cf. Müll. ad Fest. p. 87, 10), v. dep. n. and a.
I. In gen., to say or utter beforehand, to premise, preface: “in parte operis mei licet mihi praefari, quod, etc.,” Liv. 21, 1, 1; Col. 10, praef. 5; 12, 50, 7; Cels. 3, 1: praefatus, de summā se republicā acturum, having first announced by edict that, etc., Suet. Caes. 28: “quae de deorum naturā praefati sumus, etc.,” Cic. Univ. 10 fin.: “cum praefatus fuero, quae, etc.,” Col. 1 prooem. fin.; Gell. 9, 15, 4: “sibi Asiam sufficere praefatus,” Just. 11, 5, 5: “arcana se et silenda afferre praefatus,” Curt. 6, 7, 3: “is cum praefatus esset, scire, etc.,” id. 7, 4, 9; Liv. 43, 7, 7.—
II. Esp.
A. In a relig. sense, to utter a preliminary prayer, to address in prayer beforehand: “majores nostri omnibus rebus agendis Quod bonum, faustum, felix fortunatumque esset, praefabantur,” Cic. Div. 1, 45, 102: “pontifice maximo praefante carmen,” Liv. 5, 41, 3: decemviri carminibus (abl.) praefarentur, should say beforehand ( = praeirent), id. 22, 1, 16 (v. Weissenb. ad h. l.): priusquam hasce fruges condantur ... ture, vino Jano, Jovi, Junoni praefato, offering wine and incense, say a prayer to Janus, etc., Cato, R. R. 134, 1.—With the obj.-acc. of the deity: “Janum Jovemque vino praefamino,” id. ib. 141, 2: “divos,” Verg. A. 11, 301.—
B. Si dicimus, Ille patrem strangulavit, honorem non praefamur: “sin de Aureliā aliquid aut Lolliā, honos praefandus est,” we do not preface it by saying, with permission, with respect be it spoken, Cic. Fam. 9, 22, 4: “veniam,” to ask leave before speaking, App. M. 1 init.; id. Flor. init.—
C. To name or cite beforehand: Aristoteles, quem in iis magnā secuturus ex parte praefandum reor, to mention or name as an authority in advance, Plin. 8, 16, 17, § 43.—
III. To foretell, predict, prophesy (very rare), Cat. 64, 383.—Hence,
A. praefātus , a, um, in pass. signif., mentioned or stated before (post-class.): “condemnatus ex praefatis causis,” Dig. 20, 4, 12: “jura,” ib. 10, 3, 19: sic etiam nostro praefatus habebere libro, named at the beginning, Aus. praef. 2 fin.: “sine honoribus praefatis appellare aliquid,” without saying, By your leave, Arn. 5, 176: “vir praefatā reverentiā nominandus,” Vop. Aur. 1.—Hence, subst.: praefātum , i, n., for praefatio, a preface: “praefato opus est,” Symm. Ep. 6, 3.—
B. praefandus , a, um, P. a., for which must be asked permission or indulgence; that requires apology: “praefandi umoris e corpore effluvium,” Plin. 7, 51, 52, § 171.—Hence, subst.: praefanda , ōrum, n., foul expressions: “in praefanda videmur incidere,” Quint. 8, 3, 45.
