Nearby Words

prolegomenon

[proh-li-gom-uh-non, -nuhn] Origin

pro·le·gom·e·non

[proh-li-gom-uh-non, -nuhn]
noun, plural -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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Prolegomenon has a plethora of syllables.
So is floccinaucinihilipilification. Does it mean:
an obscure term ostensibly referring to a lung disease caused by silica dust, sometimes cited as one of the longest words in the English language.
the estimation of something as valueless (encountered mainly as an example of one of the longest words in the English language).
Collins
World English Dictionary
prolegomenon (ˌprəʊlɛˈɡɒmɪnən)
 
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
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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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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