English Explanatory Dictionary

frontispiece

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An illustration that is on the page before the title page of a book, a section of one, or a magazine.
  2. The title page of a book.
  3. A façade, especially an ornamental one.
  4. A small ornamental pediment, especially at the top of a window or door.
  5. A person's face.
verb
  1. To supply with a frontispiece.

Pronunciation

/ˈfɹʌn.tɪsˌpiːs/ /ˈfɹɒn.tɪsˌpiːs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-frontispiece.wav /ˈfɹʌn.tɪsˌpis/ /ˈfɹɑn.tɪsˌpis/

Word forms

frontispiece frontispieces frontispice frontispiecing frontispieced

Etymology

From Middle French frontispice, from Italian frontespizio or Medieval Latin frontispicium, from Latin frōns (“forehead”, oblique stem in front-) + -spic- (“to watch”, combining form of speciō) + -ium. Spelling altered due to folk etymology, influenced by piece.

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