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front matter Syllabification: front mat·ter

Definition of front matter in English:

noun

The pages preceding the main text of a book, including the title, table of contents, and preface.
Example sentences
  • Many of Gardiner's stories had already appeared in magazines, including The New Yorker, but I could find no reference in the front matter of Trevor's book indicating that any of these tales had appeared elsewhere first.
  • Within the front matter, the authors of the Million Word Crossword Dictionary promise to consider all suggestions for new words and clues, for future editions.
  • Ware's other comic genius is mimicry - also one of my favourite forms of humour (every 4-point sentence in the front matter of Quimby the Mouse is a side-splitter).

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