frontispiece

1 an ornamental facade

2 front illustration facing the title page of a book

English

Etymology

From frontispice < frontispicium.

Noun

1. In the context of "publishing": An illustration that is on the page before the title page of a book, a section of one, or a magazine.
2. In the context of "archaic|publishing}} The title page of a book.

• In architecture, a frontispiece constitutes the elements that frame and decorate the main, or front, door to a building; especially when the main entrance is the chief face of the building, rather than being kept behind columns or a portico.

• A book frontispiece is an elaborate decorative illustration that appears facing the title page of the book. Use of the word to indicate the title page is now obsolete (Oxford English Dictionary).

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