prolusion
Americannoun
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a preliminary written article.
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an essay of an introductory nature, preliminary to a more profound work.
noun
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a preliminary written exercise
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an introductory essay, sometimes of a slight or tentative nature
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prolusion
1595–1605; < Latin prōlūsiōn- (stem of prōlūsiō ) preliminary exercise, prelude, equivalent to prōlūs ( us ), past participle of prōlūdere ( prō- pro- 1 + lūdere to play; cf. prelude) + -iōn- -ion
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.
It was, after all, only the easiest part of the task that he had set before him, only a prolusion to the tragedy that he would have to play to a finish.
From The Nebuly Coat by Falkner, John Meade
In the same prolusion, Strada quotes the "blustering" line, afterwards censured by Dryden; but erroneously reads, Super imposito moles gemmata colosso.
From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06 by Scott, Walter, Sir
Yonder hangs a lordly deer; wild-fowl they have in prolusion; and in a short time they will, doubtless, enjoy their al fresco dinner as only sportsmen can.
From Wild Adventures in Wild Places by Stables, Gordon
This was a possibility which had never entered the lawyer's long list of calamities, and he was at some loss to conceive what the old lady could possibly mean by so sentimental a prolusion.
From St. Ronan's Well by Scott, Walter, Sir
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.
