prelude

Alternative forms

• prælude (archaic)

Etymology

From Middle French prelude (“singing to test a musical instrument”), from Latin preludium, from earlier Latin praeludere.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US)

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Noun

prelude (plural preludes)

1. An introductory or preliminary performance or event; a preface.
2. (music) A short piece of music that acts as an introduction to a longer piece.

Verb

prelude (third-person singular simple present preludes, present participle preluding, simple past and past participle preluded)

1. To introduce something, as a prelude.
2. To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance.
   • Sir Walter Scott

     The musicians preluded on their instruments.

   • Jeffrey

     We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point.

Verb

prelude

1. third-person singular present indicative of preludere

Anagrams

• puledre