prologue

pro·logue

noun \ˈprō-ˌlȯg, -ˌläg\

Definition of PROLOGUE

1

: the preface or introduction to a literary work

2

a : a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by an actor at the beginning of a play

b : the actor speaking such a prologue

3

: an introductory or preceding event or development

Variants of PROLOGUE

pro·logue also pro·log \ˈprō-ˌlȯg, -ˌläg\

Examples of PROLOGUE

1. the prologue to his autobiography
2. <unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime>

Origin of PROLOGUE

Middle English prolog, from Anglo-French prologue, from Latin prologus preface to a play, from Greek prologos part of a Greek play preceding the entry of the chorus, from pro- before + legein to speak — more at pro-, legend

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROLOGUE

Synonyms

curtain-raiser, overture, preamble, preliminary, prelude (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

Other Literature Terms

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

Rhymes with PROLOGUE

agog, backlog, befog, bullfrog, defog, eclogue, eggnog, footslog, gas log, groundhog, gulag, hedgehog, ice fog, leapfrog, photog, putlog, quahog, road hog, sandhog, stalag, tree frog, unclog, warthog, Weblog, whole hog, wood frog, Yule log