Syn. — Introductory; preparatory; prefatory; proemial; previous; prior; precedent; antecedent.
Preliminary
(Pre*lim"i*na*ry), n.; pl. Preliminaries That which precedes the main discourse, work,
design, or business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to
take one's preliminaries the year before entering college.
Syn. — Introduction; preface; prelude.
Prelimit
(Pre*lim"it) v. t. To limit previously. [R.]
Prelook
(Pre*look"), v. i. To look forward. [Obs.] Surrey.
Prelude
(Pre"lude) n. [F. prélude (cf. It. preludio, LL. praeludium), fr. L. prae before + ludus play.
See Prelude, v. t.] An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a
preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a
movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; — with recent composers often synonymous with
overture.
The last Georgic was a good prelude to the Ænis
Addison.
The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact.
Whewell. Syn. — Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble; forerunner; harbinger; precursor.
Prelude
(Pre*lude") v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preluding.] [L. praeludere, praelusum;
prae before + ludere to play: cf. F. préluder. See Ludicrous.] To play an introduction or prelude; to give
a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude.
The musicians preluded on their instruments.
Sir. W. Scott.
We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point.
Jeffrey. Prelude
(Pre*lude"), v. t.
1. To introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert
with a lively air.
2. To serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory.
[Music] preluding some great tragedy.
Longfellow
