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

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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

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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

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

From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various

I sent you the proem, which you published as a preface to the "Froissart Ballads."

From The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 3, October, 1851 by Various

You have read my proem to the 'Pilgrimage,' and before the book was published, the child of whom I had thus spoken, with such heartfelt delight, was in his grave!

From Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey by Joseph Cottle

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