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prolegomenon

 - 3 dictionary results

pro⋅le⋅gom⋅e⋅non

  [proh-li-gom-uh-non, -nuhn]
Use prolegomenon in a Sentence
–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; < NL < Gk prolegómenon, neut. of pass. prp. of prolégein to say beforehand, equiv. to pro- pro- 2 + légein to say (akin to lógos logos )
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pro·le·gom·e·non   (prō'lĭ-gŏm'ə-nŏn', -nən)   
n.   pl. pro·le·gom·e·na (-nə)

  1. A preliminary discussion, especially a formal essay introducing a work of considerable length or complexity.

  2. prolegomena (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Prefatory remarks or observations.


[Greek, from neuter present passive participle of prolegein, to say beforehand : pro-, before; see pro-2 + legein, to speak; see leg- in Indo-European roots.]
pro'le·gom'e·nous adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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