An introductory performance, event, or action preceding a more important one; a preliminary or preface.
Music
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.
A similar but independent composition for the piano.
The overture to an oratorio, opera, or act of an opera.
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.
To serve as a prelude to.
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.]
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.
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner" [syn: preliminary]
2.
music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera
Pre"lude\, n. [F. pr['e]lude (cf. It. preludio, LL. praeludium), fr. L. prae before + ludus play. See Prelude, v. t.] An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture. The last Georgic was a good prelude to the [AE]nis --Addison. The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact. --Whewell. Syn: Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble; forerunner; harbinger; precursor.
Pre"lude\, n. [F. pr['e]lude (cf. It. preludio, LL. praeludium), fr. L. prae before + ludus play. See Prelude, v. t.] An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture. The last Georgic was a good prelude to the [AE]nis --Addison. The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact. --Whewell. Syn: Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble; forerunner; harbinger; precursor.
Pre*lude"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preluding.] [L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before + ludere to play: cf. F. pr['e]luder. See Ludicrous.] To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude. The musicians preluded on their instruments. --Sir. W. Scott. We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point. --Jeffrey.
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Audio Help [prel-yood, preyl-, prey-lood, pree-] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -ud·ed, -ud·ing. 
