Pre"am`ble (?), n. [LL. praeambulum, from L. praeambulus walking before, fr. praeambulare to walk before; prae before + ambulare to walk: cf. F. préambule. See Amble.] A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.

Pre"am`ble, v. t. & i. To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble. [R.] Feltham. Milton.

• a short preliminary statement or remark, especially an explanatory