prelude
a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance.
any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes something else.
Music.
a relatively short, independent instrumental composition, free in form and resembling an improvisation.
a piece that precedes a more important movement.
the overture to an opera.
an independent piece, of moderate length, sometimes used as an introduction to a fugue.
music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.
to serve as a prelude or introduction to.
to introduce by a prelude.
to play as a prelude.
to serve as a prelude.
to give a prelude.
to play a prelude.
Origin of prelude
1Other words for prelude
Other words from prelude
- prel·ud·er, noun
- pre·lu·di·al [pri-loo-dee-uhl], /prɪˈlu di əl/, pre·lu·di·ous, adjective
- pre·lu·di·ous·ly, adverb
- un·prel·ud·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use prelude in a sentence
My first idea was to write it as a series of preludes and fugues.
John Eliot Gardiner Discusses His Monumental Bach Biography | Malcolm Jones | November 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTExtended preludes, puerile games, delicate caresses, lambkins' leapings.
The Natural Philosophy of Love | Remy de GourmontIf Mary's passion had drawn her to share Bothwell's guilt, these acts were but awful preludes to her husband's doom.
History of the English People | John Richard GreenSuch were the preludes to the work of conciliation that Charles V. had announced, and that he was so slow in beginning.
History of the Great Reformation, Volume IV | J. H. Merle D'AubignA unique position in pianoforte literature is occupied by these Preludes, Op. 28.
Descriptive Analyses of Piano Works | Edward Baxter Perry
Other preludes end with a prayer to the God for luck in the competition of reciters.
The Homeric Hymns | Andrew Lang
British Dictionary definitions for prelude
/ (ˈprɛljuːd) /
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
to serve as a prelude to (something)
(tr) to introduce by a prelude
Origin of prelude
1Derived forms of prelude
- preluder (prɪˈljuːdə, ˈprɛljʊdə), noun
- preludial, adjective
- prelusion (prɪˈljuːʒən), noun
- prelusive (prɪˈljuːsɪv) or prelusory (prɪˈljuːsərɪ), adjective
- prelusively or prelusorily, adverb
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
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