proem

American  

[proh-em] / ˈproʊ ɛm /

noun

1. an introductory discourse; introduction; preface; preamble.

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proem British  

/ ˈprəʊɛm, prəʊˈiːmɪəl /

noun

1. an introduction or preface, such as to a work of literature

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Other Word Forms

• proemial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of proem

1350–1400; < Latin prooemium < Greek prooímion prelude ( pro- pro- ² + oím ( ē ) song + -ion diminutive suffix); replacing Middle English proheme < Middle French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

After a moment or two, I said, “Well, some died in the war, and, if you read the proem carefully, you’ll recall that others died ‘through their own recklessness.’

From The New Yorker • Apr. 17, 2017

With this bold proem, George R. Barnes, director of BBC's "Third Program,"*launched one of the boldest ventures in the history of broadcasting.

From Time Magazine Archive

In a short proem the writer speaks of himself as ninety-nine years old.

From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various

The sonnet prefixed as a proem to the whole book is generally attributed to Giordano Bruno, in whose Dialogue on the Eroici Furori it occurs.

From Sonnets by Symonds, John Addington

At first they're but the unfledged proem, Or songless schedule of a poem; When from the shell they're hardly dry If some folks thrust them forth, must I?

From The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell by Lowell, James Russell