frontispiece

Meanings

Noun

• An illustration that is on the page before the title page of a book, a section of one, or a magazine.
• The title page of a book.
• A façade, especially an ornamental one.
• A small ornamental pediment, especially at the top of a window or door.
• A person's face.

Verb

• To supply with a frontispiece.

Origin

• From Middle French frontispice, from Latin frontispicium, from frōns + specio. Spelling altered due to folk etymology, influenced by piece.