The front matter of the book, before the text pages, often numbered with roman numerals. Prelims include such things as the title page, table of contents, foreword, dedication, acknowledgements, and so on.
written matter preceding the main text of a book
The preliminary pages of a book i.e. half-title, title page etc. There is a fixed order for the sequence of prelims.
preliminary pages, front matter The part of a book containing the HALF TITLE PAGE, TITLE page, QUARTER TITLE page, TABLE OF CONTENTS, IMPRINT PAGE, etc. Normally uses ROMAN PAGINATION.
The prelims are the introductory pages at the beginning of a book before the actual text itself begins. The prelims will contain a title page, half title page, the copyright page, preface, acknowledgements, forwards, and any other material not forming the main part of the book.
preliminaries or preliminary leaves: all the pages (title-page, contents, preface, list of illustrations, etc.) preceding the main body of the text.
universal abbreviation for the preliminary pages of a book before the start of the main text, often numbered in roman numerals.
The pages at the beginning of a book, leading to the main text. Half-Title, Title Page, Imprint Page, Contents Page, Acknowledgements, Foreword, Preface, Introduction.
The opening pages of a document before the text proper.