prologue Hear it!

prologue Definition

pro·logue (prōlôg′)

noun

  1. an introduction to a poem, play, etc.; esp., introductory lines spoken by a member of the cast before a dramatic performance
  2. the actor speaking such lines
  3. a preliminary act or course of action foreshadowing greater events

Etymology: ME prologe < MFr < L prologus < Gr prologos < pro-, before + logos, discourse: see pro- & logic

prologue Synonyms

prologue

n.

preface, preamble, proem; see introduction 4.

prologue Usage Examples

Converse of subject

  • frame: The opera is framed by a prolog and epilog sung by Vere as an old man.

Converse of object

  • write: Paul Haines wrote the prolog which appears in the film.
  • read: How do you guys read the prolog of John's gospel?
  • include: Dance Theater will be doing the earlier version of the ballet, including the prolog, rather than the shortened text danced at NYCB.
  • have: The NYCB Apollo no longer has the prolog which is something I miss compared with the version the Royal Ballet has.
  • set: The first is a prolog set in Vietnam in 1968.
  • follow: Following the atmospheric prolog, we discover the wishing stairs are based just outside the grounds of a remote boarding school.

Adjective modifier

  • historical: The first thirteen verses of Joshua 24 identify who is speaking and then present a historical prolog typical of such a covenant.
  • brief: And so, after the brief prolog the film starts proper in South West France, present day.
  • short: Only in the short prolog is Hitler's Headquarters in Rastenburg, East Prussia, shown.
  • new: Stephen Jeffreys has written a clever new prolog, which Jason Watkins delivers with affable slyness.
  • lengthy: I guess that is the point of the lengthy prolog.
  • white: In a black and white prolog, a woman gives birth, at home, during a thunderstorm.

Modifies a noun

  • time-trial: He wore the jersey for much of the 2000 race, and briefly after his fifth place in last Saturday's prolog time-trial.
  • trial: It is Britain's first stage win in the race since 2000, when the 25-year-old Scot won the prolog time trial.
  • time: It is Britain's first stage win in the race since 2000, when the 25-year-old Scot won the prolog time trial.
  • script: The default for prolog is the special value NONE, which prevents from execution of a prolog script.
  • winner: Last year's prolog winner Bradley McGee fell and hurt his back: he struggled to the finish six minutes behind.

Noun used with modifier

  • opening: A ( male ) newsreader appears in the opening prolog.
  • function-call: No function-call prolog needed when there are no arguments.
prologue Quotes

Here then will we begin the story: onlyadding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.

—Bible (Apocrypha)

   Courtship to marriage, as a very witty prologue to a very dull play.

—Congreve,William

Browse dictionary entries near prologue

  1. prolocutor
  2. prolixity
  3. prolix
  4. proline
  5. prolific
  6. proliferous
  7. proliferation
  8. proliferate
  9. proletary
  10. proletariat
  1. prologuize
  2. prolong
  3. prolonge
  4. prolonged
  5. prolusion
  6. prom
  7. promenade
  8. Promethean
  9. Prometheus
  10. promethium