† proˈface, int. and n. Obs.
[a. obs. F. prou fasse! in full bon prou vous fasse! (also as n. prouface, 1588 in Godef.) ‘may it do you good’; f. prou prow1 + fasse (3rd pers. sing. pres. subj. of faire to do):—L. faciat; cf. proficiat.]
A. int. or phr. A formula of welcome or good wishes at a dinner or other meal, equivalent to ‘may it do you good’, ‘may it be to your advantage’.
| 1515 Barclay Egloges iii. (1570) C iij/1 A naturall foole of reason dull and rude, Proface Coridon, thus do I here conclude. 1575 Laneham Let. (1871) 5 Thus proface ye with the Preface. 1580 Stow Chron. 955 Before the second course, the Cardinall came in booted and spurred, all sodainely amongest them, and bade them Proface. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, v. iii. 30 Master Page, good M. Page, sit: Proface. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Praise Hempseed Wks. iii. 61 Proface my Masters, if your stomackes serue. 1638 Heywood Wise Woman iv. i. Wks. 1874 V. 335 The dinner's halfe done, and before I say Grace, and bid the old Knight and his guest proface. |
B. n. A salutation or good wish in drinking, a toast drunk to a person's health. rare.
| 1586 B. Young Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iv. 195 This speech makes me think..y{supt} we haue ended our taske, and are now come to the last Proface. |