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prelude Definition

prel·ude (prelyo̵̅o̅d′; prālo̵̅o̅d′, prē-)

noun

  1. anything serving as the introduction to a principal event, action, performance, etc.; preliminary part; preface; opening
  2. Music
    1. an introductory instrumental composition, such as the first movement of a suite or the overture to an opera
    2. since the 19th cent., any short, romantic composition

Etymology: Fr prélude < ML praeludium < L praeludere, to play beforehand < prae-, pre- + ludere, to play < ludus: see ludicrous

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·ud′ed, -·ud′·ing

  1. to serve as or be a prelude (to)
  2. to introduce by or play (as) a prelude

Etymology: L praeludere

prelude Related Forms
pre·lu·dial (prē lo̵̅o̅dē əl) adjective
prelude Synonyms

prelude

n.

  1. Introduction

    preface, preliminary preparation, prelusion; see introduction 1.

  2. Musical piece

    fugue, toccata, overture, voluntary; see music 1.

prelude Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • thing: I hope this is not a prelude of things to come.

Converse of object

  • become: That became the prelude to Pat Finucane's killing.
  • play: Monday 14 August Debussy: Préludes Book I Rachmaninov: Preludes Op 23 Scottish pianist Steven Osborne plays a prelude to the festival!
  • form: This 5th century ' economic boom ' formed a prelude to the most remarkable phase of Byzantine history.
  • prove: Against Everton even that might prove the prelude to a riot.
  • use: We're going to use a prelude by Bach, who usually sounds quite good on electronic instruments.
  • consider: In fact, debts are considered a prelude to the bad credit history.

Adjective modifier

  • orchestral: The orchestral prelude begins with hushed strings presenting the ' Judgment ' theme.
  • mere: In late seventeenth-century London, life might truly be described as a mere prelude to death.
  • minor: I like the G minor prelude and fugue, tho and few other bits and pieces.
  • immediate: These are symptoms of the immediate prelude to quantum change.
  • necessary: They declare that this constitution is the necessary prelude to full political union.
  • perfect: The sudden, erratic swings of the pendulum during the 1990s were, therefore, the perfect prelude to the 2000 campaign.

Modifies a noun

  • window: When reopening a callback window or code prelude window, it shows the previous contents of the window.

Noun used with modifier

  • chorale: Together with these comes a selection of chorale preludes - part of the everyday working material of a Lutheran organist.
  • organ: The deep emotion and simple austerity of Bach's magnificent sung chorales are juxtaposed with the intricacies of his organ preludes.
  • code: When reopening a callback window or code prelude window, it shows the previous contents of the window.
  • action: The game starts in traditional Bond style, with a high action prelude except this time you're in control from the get-go.
prelude Quotes

I have noticed again and again since I have been in the Churchthat lay interest in ecclesiastical matters is often a prelude to insanity.

—Waugh, Evelyn Arthur StJohn

   Thepreludetoresurrectionaswe experienceit inthislife is always powerlessness.We cannot raise ourselves by our own bootstrings.

—Williams, HarryAbbott