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preludious

 - 2 dictionary results

prel⋅ude

  [prel-yood, preyl-, prey-lood, pree-] noun, verb, -ud⋅ed, -ud⋅ing.
Use preludious 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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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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