exordium

noun

ex·​or·​di·​um eg-ˈzȯr-dē-əm How to pronounce exordium (audio)
plural exordiums or exordia eg-ˈzȯr-dē-ə How to pronounce exordium (audio)
: a beginning or introduction especially to a discourse or composition
exordial adjective

Examples of exordium in a Sentence

in his exordium the author warns his readers that they should expect a radically different interpretation of the causes of the war

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from exordiri to begin, from ex- + ordiri to begin — more at order

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exordium was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near exordium

Cite this Entry

“Exordium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exordium. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

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