prelude

¹pre·lude

noun
\ˈprel-ˌyüd, ˈprāl-; ˈpre-ˌlüd, ˈprā-; sense 1 also ˈprē-ˌlüd\

Definition of PRELUDE

1

: an introductory performance, action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter

2

a : a musical section or movement introducing the theme or chief subject (as of a fugue or suite) or serving as an introduction to an opera or oratorio b : an opening voluntary c : a separate concert piece usually for piano or orchestra and based entirely on a short motif

Examples of PRELUDE

1. <an eruption of sectarian violence that proved to be the prelude to all-out civil war>
2. <the musical had a brief prelude to get the audience in the proper mood>

Origin of PRELUDE

Middle French, from Medieval Latin praeludium, from Latin praeludere to play beforehand, from prae- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use: 1561

Related to PRELUDE

Synonyms: curtain-raiser, overture, preamble, preliminary, prologue (also prolog), warm-up

Antonyms: epilogue (also epilog)

Related Words: countdown, run-up [chiefly British]; lead-in; kickoff, start

Near Antonyms: envoi (or envoy), postscript; aftermath; cessation, close, closing, conclusion, end, finale, finish, stop, termination

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

Rhymes with PRELUDE

allude, blood feud, collude, conclude, delude, denude, elude, exclude, extrude, exude, fast-food, health food, include, intrude, junk food, obtrude, occlude, plant food, postlude, preclude, protrude, quaalude, seafood, seclude, subdued, transude, unglued