prolegomenon

pro·le·gom·e·non

[proh-li-gom-uh-non, -nuhn]
noun, plural pro·le·gom·e·na [-nuh] .
1.
a preliminary discussion; introductory essay, as prefatory matter in a book; a prologue.
2.
Usually, prolegomena. (sometimes used with a singular verb) a treatise serving as a preface or introduction to a book.

Origin:
1645–55; < Neo-Latin < Greek prolegómenon, neuter of passive present participle of prolégein to say beforehand, equivalent to pro- pro-2 + légein to say (akin to lógos logos)

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World English Dictionary
prolegomenon (ˌprəʊlɛˈɡɒmɪnən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -na
(often plural) a preliminary discussion, esp a formal critical introduction to a lengthy text
 
[C17: from Greek, from prolegein, from pro-² + legein to say]
 
prole'gomenal
 
adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Prolegomenon is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

prolegomenon
1652, "learned preamble to a book," from Gk. prolegomenon, neuter passive prp. of prolegein "to say beforehand," from pro- "before" + legein "to speak" (see lecture) + suffix -menos (as in alumnus). The same sense is in preface.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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