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Definition of prelude - 3 dictionary results
Prelude
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prel⋅ude

  [prel-yood, preyl-, prey-lood, pree-] noun, verb, -ud⋅ed, -ud⋅ing.
Use prelude in a Sentence
–noun
1. a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance.
2. any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes something else.
3. Music.
a. a relatively short, independent instrumental composition, free in form and resembling an improvisation.
b. a piece that precedes a more important movement.
c. the overture to an opera.
d. an independent piece, of moderate length, sometimes used as an introduction to a fugue.
e. music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.
–verb (used with object)
4. to serve as a prelude or introduction to.
5. to introduce by a prelude.
6. to play as a prelude.
–verb (used without object)
7. to serve as a prelude.
8. to give a prelude.
9. to play a prelude.
Origin:
1555–65; (n.) < ML praelūdium, equiv. to prae- pre- + -lūdium play; cf. L lūdus play; (v.) < L praelūdere to play beforehand

Related forms:
prel⋅ud⋅er, noun
pre⋅lu⋅di⋅al  [pri-loo-dee-uhl] , pre⋅lu⋅di⋅ous, adjective
pre⋅lu⋅di⋅ous⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. introduction, opening, beginning.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Prelude
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prel·ude   (prěl'yōōd', prā'lōōd', prē'-)   
n.  

  1. An introductory performance, event, or action preceding a more important one; a preliminary or preface.

  2. Music

    1. A piece or movement that serves as an introduction to another section or composition and establishes the key, such as one that precedes a fugue, opens a suite, or precedes a church service.

    2. A similar but independent composition for the piano.

    3. The overture to an oratorio, opera, or act of an opera.

    4. A short composition of the 15th and early 16th centuries written in a free style, usually for keyboard.

v.   prel·ud·ed, prel·ud·ing, prel·udes

v.   tr.

  1. To serve as a prelude to.

  2. To introduce with or as if with a prelude.

v.   intr.
To serve as a prelude or introduction.

[Medieval Latin praelūdium, from Latin praelūdere, to play beforehand : prae-, pre- + lūdere, to play; see leid- in Indo-European roots.]
prel'ud'er n., pre·lu'di·al (prĭ-lōō'dē-əl) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

prelude 
1561, from M.Fr. prélude "notes sung or played to test the voice or instrument" (1532), from M.L. preludium "prelude, preliminary," from L. præludere "to play beforehand for practice, preface," from præ- "before" + ludere "to play" (see ludicrous). Purely musical sense first attested in Eng. 1658.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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