prelude means an introductory or preliminary performance or event.
prelude is pronounced /ˈpɹɛljuːd/.
Why “prelude” is a great word
An introductory performance, event, or action that precedes and often sets the stage for something more important. From the Medieval Latin praeludium, from Latin praelūdere, combining prae- ("before") and lūdere ("to play"). Unlike a "prologue," which denotes a formal literary opening, or an "overture," which serves as a structured orchestral preface, a prelude is a more supple and encompassing threshold. It is the tuning of instruments in an empty hall, the first cool breeze that signals a coming storm, or the quiet, private glance exchanged before a public declaration—a small, separate world that exists solely to promise a larger one.
Etymology
From Middle French prélude (“singing to test a musical instrument”), from Medieval Latin preludium, from Latin praelūdere.
noun
- An introductory or preliminary performance or event.“Adam Schiff, a Democratic senator from California, called it a “very dangerous escalation and a prelude to potential conflict”.”
- A short, free-form piece of music, originally one serving as an introduction to a longer and more complex piece; later, starting with the Romantic period, generally a stand-alone piece.
- A standard module or library of subroutines and functions to be imported, generally by default, into a program.“In the same way that Rust has a general prelude that brings certain types and functions into scope automatically, the std::io module has its own prelude of common types and functions you'll need when working with I/O.”
- A forerunner to anything.“Swimmings of the head and intestinal pains seemed the prelude of dissolution.”
verb
- To introduce something, as a prelude.
- To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance.“The musicians preluded on their instruments.”
Words closest in meaning
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