1 frontispiece | Definition of frontispiece

frontispiece

noun
fron·​tis·​piece | \ ˈfrÉ™n-tÉ™-ËŒspÄ“s How to pronounce frontispiece (audio) \

Definition of frontispiece

1a : the principal front of a building
b : a decorated pediment over a portico or window
2 : an illustration preceding and usually facing the title page of a book or magazine

Examples of frontispiece in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to reviews and blurbs, Whitman commissioned a steel engraving of himself as a frontispiece to convey an image of the muscular, rough American poet. Elaine Showalter, The New York Review of Books, "Whitman, Melville, & Julia Ward Howe: A Tale of Three Bicentennials," 27 May 2019 Each chapter begins with a handsome frontispiece and a full-page illustration in a style reminiscent of the Arts & Crafts Movement, and each has its own floral motif. Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, "Children’s Books: So Much to See—and Talk About," 12 July 2018 The facade features four thick pillars support a covered porch, a balcony and an ornate frontispiece. Neal J. Leitereg, latimes.com, "Jimmy Rollins hits one into the stratosphere in Encino’s luxury home market," 25 Jan. 2018 Sarah Weinman and Joe Lansdale both contribute pressing stories that pivot smartly against the expectation their frontispieces create. Charles Finch, USA TODAY, "Famous paintings inspire colorful stories by famed mystery writers," 19 Dec. 2017 Thror’s Map, which Tolkien himself drew and which his characters use as a guide to get into the Mountain, may look like the map of Treasure Island that Robert Louis Stevenson included as a frontispiece in his 1883 novel. Adrian Daub, Longreads, "Here at the End of All Things," 24 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frontispiece.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of frontispiece

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for frontispiece

Middle French frontispice, from Late Latin frontispicium facade, from Latin front-, frons + -i- + specere to look at — more at spy

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More Definitions for frontispiece

frontispiece

noun

English Language Learners Definition of frontispiece

: a picture in the front of a book

More from Merriam-Webster on frontispiece

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with frontispiece

Spanish Central: Translation of frontispiece

Nglish: Translation of frontispiece for Spanish Speakers