prelusive
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prelusive
Explanation
This paragraph is prelusive because it serves as an introduction to the meaning of this specific word. Things that are prelusive come before something else. An event, piece of writing, or piece of music is prelusive when it acts as a prelude to something more important or substantial that follows. Both words are derived from the Latin pre-, "before," and ludere, "to play." Introductory speeches before a main speaker takes the stage are prelusive. A small skirmish between two nations might be considered prelusive if it comes before a full-scale war. A rumbling from a mountain volcano might be prelusive to a violent eruption.
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.
What makes the matter worse is, that this happened at the very opening of the diet, and whilst the grand prelusive symphony of the whole hidden people was in full burst.
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 56, No. 345, July, 1844 by Various
In the notice of so memorable a man, even the briefest prelusive flourish seems uncalled for; and so indeed it would be, if by such means it were meant simply to justify the undertaking.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 12, No. 71, September, 1863 by Various
I have described the gorgeousness of my expectations in those early days of my prelusive acquaintance with German literature.
From The Uncollected Writings of Thomas de Quincey—Vol. 1 With a Preface and Annotations by James Hogg by Hogg, James
Thomson seems to have been partial to these kind of adjectives, "effusive," "diffusive," "prelusive," &c.
From Notes and Queries, Number 179, April 2, 1853. A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George
In Break, Break, Break, we hear a note prelusive to In Memoriam, much of which was already composed.
From Alfred Tennyson by Lang, Andrew
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.
