proem

[ proh-em ]
See synonyms for proem on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an introductory discourse; introduction; preface; preamble.

Origin of proem

1
1350–1400; <Latin prooemium<Greek prooímion prelude (pro-pro-2 + oím(ē) song + -ion diminutive suffix); replacing Middle English proheme<Middle French <Latin, as above

Other words from proem

  • pro·e·mi·al [proh-ee-mee-uhl, -em-ee-], /proʊˈi mi əl, -ˈɛm i-/, adjective

Words Nearby proem

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use proem in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for proem

proem

/ (ˈprəʊɛm) /


noun
  1. an introduction or preface, such as to a work of literature

Origin of proem

1
C14: from Latin prooemium introduction, from Greek prooimion, from pro- ² + hoimē song

Derived forms of proem

  • proemial (prəʊˈiːmɪəl), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012