prelude

[prel-yood, preyl-, prey-lood, pree-]

noun

1. a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance.

   Synonyms: beginning, opening, introduction

2. any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes something else.

3. Music.

   1. a relatively short, independent instrumental composition, free in form and resembling an improvisation.

   2. a piece that precedes a more important movement.

   3. the overture to an opera.

   4. an independent piece, of moderate length, sometimes used as an introduction to a fugue.

   5. music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.

verb (used with object)

preluded, preluding 

1. to serve as a prelude or introduction to.

2. to introduce by a prelude.

3. to play as a prelude.

verb (used without object)

preluded, preluding 

1. to serve as a prelude.

2. to give a prelude.

3. to play a prelude.

prelude

/ prɪˈljuːsərɪ, prɪˈljuːʒən, prɪˈljuːsɪv, ˈprɛljuːd, prɪˈljuːdə, ˈprɛljʊdə /

noun

1. 1. a piece of music that precedes a fugue, or forms the first movement of a suite, or an introduction to an act in an opera, etc

   2. (esp for piano) a self-contained piece of music

2. something serving as an introduction or preceding event, occurrence, etc

verb

1. to serve as a prelude to (something)

2. (tr) to introduce by a prelude

Other Word Forms

• preluder noun
• preludial adjective
• preludious adjective
• preludiously adverb
• unpreluded adjective
• prelusively adverb
• prelusion noun
• prelusive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prelude¹

1555–65; (noun) < Medieval Latin praelūdium, equivalent to prae- pre- + -lūdium play; compare Latin lūdus play; (v.) < Latin praelūdere to play beforehand

Word History and Origins

Origin of prelude¹

C16: (n) from Medieval Latin praelūdium, from prae before + -lūdium entertainment, from Latin lūdus play; (vb) from Late Latin praelūdere to play beforehand, rehearse, from lūdere to play

Example Sentences

Years later, Cooper wrote the screenplay for “Out of the Furnace” while listening to that album, an unwitting prelude to what would eventually bring the pair together.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Coming from another breed of mom, this would be a prelude to prescriptive punishment.

Read more on Salon

Such a move could also be a prelude to de facto martial law, cancelling elections and suspending other civil rights and freedoms.

Read more on Salon

Many in Zion saw the stepped-up pressure as a prelude to a crackdown, but few anticipated it would be as large as it turned out to be, she said.

Read more on BBC

The film is split into three parts - a prelude, followed by two versions of events told from the points of view of both Frankenstein and his creation.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• introduction 
• prologue