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

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

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 Moore, Thomas

I will not trespass on your time by any proem.

From Romola by Eliot, George

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 Cottle, Joseph