prelude
Use Prelude in a sentence
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yud, ˈpreɪl-, ˈpreɪ 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.
00:10
Prelude
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is absquatulate. Does it mean:
| to flee; abscond: |
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
verb (used without object)
7.
to serve as a prelude.
8.
to give a prelude.
9.
to play a prelude.
Origin:
1555–65; (noun) < Medieval Latin praelūdium, equivalent to prae- pre- + -lūdium play; compare Latin lūdus play; (v.) < Latin praelūdere to play beforehand
1555–65; (noun) < Medieval Latin praelūdium, equivalent to prae- pre- + -lūdium play; compare Latin lūdus play; (v.) < Latin praelūdere to play beforehand
Related forms
prel·ud·er, noun
pre·lu·di·ous·ly, adverb
un·prel·ud·ed, adjective
Synonyms
1. introduction, opening, beginning.
1. introduction, opening, beginning.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To prelude
Collins
World English Dictionary
prelude (ˈprɛljuːd) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a. a piece of music that precedes a fugue, or forms the first movement of a suite, or an introduction to an act in an opera, etc |
| b. (esp for piano) a self-contained piece of music | |
| 2. | something serving as an introduction or preceding event, occurrence, etc |
| —vb | |
| 3. | to serve as a prelude to (something) |
| 4. | (tr) to introduce by a prelude |
| [C16: (n) from Medieval Latin praelūdium, from prae before + -lūdium entertainment, from Latin lūdus play; (vb) from Late Latin praelūdere to play beforehand, rehearse, from lūdere to play] | |
| preluder | |
| —n | |
| pre'ludial | |
| —adj | |
| prelusion | |
| —n | |
| prelusive | |
| —adj | |
| prelusory | |
| —adj | |
| pre'lusively | |
| —adv | |
| pre'lusorily | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
Compared with the prelude, the hearing itself was a bit of a letdown.
Few could imagine that the noise was a prelude to the deafening first atomic explosion.
The only other species known to do it as a prelude to mating is the white-fronted parrot.
Gathering information about a problem is a crucial prelude to effective action.
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