Definition of prelude
1 : an introductory performance, action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter
2a : 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 oratoriob : an opening voluntaryc : a separate concert piece usually for piano or orchestra and based entirely on a short motif
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Examples of prelude in a Sentence
an eruption of sectarian violence that proved to be the prelude to all-out civil war
the musical had a brief prelude to get the audience in the proper mood
Origin and Etymology 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
prelude
Definition of prelude
preluded
;preluding
transitive verb
1 : to serve as a prelude to
2 : to play as a prelude
intransitive verb
: to give or serve as a prelude; especially : to play a musical introduction
preluder
noun1632
First Known Use of prelude
1632
PRELUDE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of prelude for English Language Learners
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: something that comes before and leads to something else
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: a short piece of music that introduces a longer piece
PRELUDE Defined for Kids
prelude
playDefinition of prelude for Students
1 : something that comes before and prepares for the main or more important parts
2 : a short piece of music played at the beginning of something (as an opera or church service)
Learn More about prelude
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See words that rhyme with prelude Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prelude Spanish Central: Translation of prelude Nglish: Translation of prelude for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prelude for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prelude
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