exordium
Americannoun
plural
exordiums, exordia-
the beginning of anything.
-
the introductory part of an oration, treatise, etc.
noun
Other Word Forms
- exordial adjective
Etymology
Origin of exordium
1525–35; < Latin exōrdium, equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + ōrd ( īrī ) to begin + -ium -ium
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their invitation Dr. Fosdick expressed in a great exordium: The great east window of Chicago's Fourth Presbyterian Church has long needed proper furbishing in stained glass.
From Time Magazine Archive
The purpose of the exordium is to put the audience into a receptive and attentive frame of mind.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
I trembled violently at his exordium, and my father continued—
From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
This exordium will serve as a specimen of the “sarment,” as it continued in the same strain to the end of the peroration.
From The Iron Furnace Slavery and Secession by Aughey, John H.
My exordium has been very long, but it was no longer than the dignity of the subject, perhaps, demanded.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 7 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Ingersoll, Robert Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
