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The appendix is what is appended to something. How do we call something that is prepended to something else?

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2 Answers

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When describing parts of a book, the "preface" or "prologue" are common.

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This is correct. Except for its anatomical meaning, "appendix" refers specifically to an addition to the end of a written work, usually a book. It is not a general term for something added after something else, although it could be used that way in a metaphorical sense. So the corresponding "in front of" meaning would be what @ptomato says. – Robusto Nov 24 '10 at 13:19
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Accordingly to http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/prepend there is no such thing as "to prepend"

The correct English word is "prefix;" for example, "the header is prefixed to the packet." See prefix.

and

prefix: The beginning or to add to the beginning

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True - but this doesn't answer the question that you asked! – Steve Melnikoff Nov 24 '10 at 11:58
@Steve it does! the answer is "prefix" – Jader Dias Nov 24 '10 at 12:00
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"Prefix" is the opposite of "suffix". The opposite of "appendix" is less obvious, but ptomato's suggestions are closer (in my opinion). – Steve Melnikoff Nov 24 '10 at 12:13
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OED says "prepend, v. To add at the beginning, to prefix, prepose" with earliest citation from 1872. – Gareth Rees Nov 24 '10 at 15:16
@Gareth and there is 7,680 Google results for prependix – Jader Dias Nov 24 '10 at 15:28

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