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.
Every one remembers his young, tentative, prelusive illustrations to Herrick, in which there are the prettiest glimpses, guesses and foreknowledge of the effects he was to make completely his own.
From Picture and Text 1893 by James, Henry
And scarcely have they disappeared 35 Ere the prelusive hymn is heard:— With one consent the people rejoice, Filling the church with a lofty voice!
From The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Volume IV (of 8) by Wordsworth, William
The last words were murmured as if to himself rather than to us, and he accompanied them abstractedly with tentative, prelusive chords, which gradually grew into the most strangely moving music I have ever heard.
From A Day with Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy by Sampson, George
During an entire generation they furnished the arena for the prelusive strife of that war.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 122, December, 1867 by Various
There was a fine note in Mr. Allen's earliest work; a prelusive note with the quality of the flute....
From James Lane Allen: A Sketch of his Life and Work by Unknown
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.
