proem

pro·em

noun \ˈprō-ˌem, -əm\

Definition of PROEM

1

: preliminary comment : preface

2

: prelude

— pro·emi·al \prō-ˈē-mē-əl, -ˈe-\ adjective

Examples of PROEM

1. <the proem promises what the book does not deliver: a totally new interpretation of the French Revolution>

Origin of PROEM

Middle English proheme, from Anglo-French proeme, from Latin prooemium, from Greek prooimion, from pro- + oimē song; probably akin to Hittite išamai- song, Sanskrit syati he binds — more at sinew

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROEM

Synonyms: exordium, foreword, intro, preamble, preface, prelude, introduction, prologue (also prolog), prolusion

Antonyms: epilogue (also epilog)

Related Words: beginning, commencement, initiation, opening, origin, origination, outset, start

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

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Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

Rhymes with PROEM

ad rem, ahem, AM, Arnhem, Belém, bluestem, brain stem, condemn, contemn, FM, GM, idem, in rem, item, main stem, mayhem, Menem, millieme, modem, poem, problem, pro tem, Shechem