Main Entry: pro·em

Pronunciation: \ˈprō-ˌem, -əm\

Function: noun

Etymology: 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

Date: 14th century

1 : preliminary comment : preface
2 : prelude

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