prolusion

American  

[proh-loo-zhuhn] / proʊˈlu ʒən /

noun

1. a preliminary written article.

2. an essay of an introductory nature, preliminary to a more profound work.

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prolusion British  

/ prəˈluːzərɪ, prəˈluːʒən /

noun

1. a preliminary written exercise

2. an introductory essay, sometimes of a slight or tentative nature

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Other Word Forms

• prolusory adjective

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

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

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

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