prolegomenon

[ proh-li-gom-uh-non, -nuhn ]
See synonyms for prolegomenon on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural pro·le·gom·e·na [proh-li-gom-uh-nuh]. /ˌproʊ lɪˈgɒm ə nə/.
  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 of prolegomenon

1
1645–55; <New Latin <Greek prolegómenon, neuter of passive present participle of prolégein to say beforehand, equivalent to pro-pro-2 + légein to say (akin to lógoslogos)

Words Nearby prolegomenon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use prolegomenon in a sentence

  • The play, one feels, must remain unique, for the prolegomenon cannot be rewritten while the philosophy is unchanged.

  • The miscellanies really stand to the novels in the relation of a sort of prolegomenon.

    Balzac | Frederick Lawton

British Dictionary definitions for prolegomenon

prolegomenon

/ (ˌprəʊlɛˈɡɒmɪnən) /


nounplural -na (-nə)
  1. (often plural) a preliminary discussion, esp a formal critical introduction to a lengthy text

Origin of prolegomenon

1
C17: from Greek, from prolegein, from pro- ² + legein to say

Derived forms of prolegomenon

  • prolegomenal, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012