proem

American  

[proh-em] / ˈproʊ ɛm /

noun

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

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proem British  

/ ˈprəʊɛm /

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

See Examples For:

proem

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

But men of real learning also attacked me: Rondeletius, and Julius Scaliger; and Fuchsius, in the proem of his book, says that my work Medicinæ Contradictiones should be avoided like deadly poison.

From Jerome Cardan A Biographical Study by W. G. (William George) Waters

If you choose to publish it, you may, stating why, and with such explanatory proem as you please.

From Life of Lord Byron, Vol. 4 With His Letters and Journals by Thomas Moore

Thus when he began, "Why, Sir, as to the good or evil of card-playing;" Garrick would make this arch comment on his proem; "Now he is considering which side he shall take."

From Lives of the English Poets From Johnson to Kirke White, Designed as a Continuation of Johnson's Lives by Henry Francis Cary