prolusion

noun

pro·​lu·​sion prō-ˈlü-zhən 

1

: a preliminary trial or exercise : prelude

2

: an introductory and often tentative discourse

prolusory

prō-ˈlü-sə-rē 

-zə-;

-ˈlüz-rē

-ˈlüz-

adjective

Synonyms

• exordium
• foreword
• intro
• introduction
• preamble
• preface
• prelude
• proem
• prologue
• prolog

Examples of prolusion in a Sentence

in her prolusion she sketches the religious, cultural and political milieu in which gnosticism developed

Recent Examples on the Web

This poem seems positioned as a prolusion — his word — or prelude to set a mood of contemplation, to encourage a softness or stillness, a long view, for entering what follows. —Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Latin prolusion-, prolusio, from proludere to play beforehand, from pro- before + ludere to play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1