prelude
[ prel-yood, preyl-, prey-lood, pree- ]
/ ˈprɛl yud, ˈpreɪl-, ˈpreɪ lud, ˈpri- /
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noun
verb (used with object), prel·ud·ed, prel·ud·ing.
verb (used without object), prel·ud·ed, prel·ud·ing.
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Origin of prelude
1555–65; (noun) <Medieval Latin praelūdium, equivalent to prae-pre- + -lūdium play; compare Latin lūdus play; (v.) <Latin praelūdere to play beforehand
OTHER WORDS FROM prelude
prel·ud·er, nounpre·lu·di·al [pri-loo-dee-uhl], /prɪˈlu di əl/, pre·lu·di·ous, adjectivepre·lu·di·ous·ly, adverbun·prel·ud·ed, adjectiveWords nearby prelude
preload, Prelog, prelogical thinking, Prelone, preloved, prelude, Preludin, prelusion, prelusive, prem., premalignant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for prelude
British Dictionary definitions for prelude
prelude
/ (ˈprɛljuːd) /
noun
- 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
- (esp for piano) a self-contained piece of music
something serving as an introduction or preceding event, occurrence, etc
verb
to serve as a prelude to (something)
(tr) to introduce by a prelude
Derived forms of prelude
Word Origin for prelude
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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