Prelude: meaning, definitions and examples
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prelude
[ ˈprɛljuːd ]
music
An introductory piece of music or a section that precedes the main theme.
Synonyms
introduction, overture, prologue
Examples of usage
- The prelude set the tone for the entire concert.
- She played a beautiful prelude on the piano before the opera started.
literature
An introductory part of a literary work, such as a novel or play, setting the scene or introducing the characters.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The prelude of the book provided crucial background information.
- The first chapter served as a prelude to the main events of the story.
general
Something that serves as a preliminary to an event or action.
Synonyms
forerunner, harbinger, precursor
Examples of usage
- Their meeting was just a prelude to the negotiations that would follow.
- The dark clouds were a prelude to the storm that was about to hit.
Translations
Translations of the word "prelude" in other languages:
🇵🇹 prelúdio
- introdução
- prefácio
🇮🇳 प्रस्तावना
- प्रस्ताव
- प्रारंभिक
🇩🇪 Vorspiel
- Einleitung
- Präambel
🇮🇩 pendahuluan
🇺🇦 прелюдія
- вступ
- передмова
🇵🇱 preludium
- wstęp
- przedmowa
🇯🇵 前奏曲 (ぜんそうきょく)
- 序章 (じょしょう)
- 序文 (じょぶん)
🇫🇷 prélude
- introduction
- préface
🇪🇸 preludio
- introducción
- prefacio
🇹🇷 prelüd
- giriş
- önsöz
🇰🇷 서곡 (序曲)
- 서문 (序文)
- 서론 (序論)
🇸🇦 مقدمة
- تمهيد
- فاتحة
🇨🇿 předehra
- úvod
- předmluva
🇸🇰 predohra
- úvod
- predslov
🇨🇳 前奏 (qiánzòu)
- 引言 (yǐnyán)
- 序言 (xùyán)
🇸🇮 predigra
- uvod
- predgovor
🇮🇸 forspil
- inngangur
- formáli
🇰🇿 прелюдия
- кіріспе
- алғы сөз
🇬🇪 პრელუდია
- შესავალი
- წინასიტყვაობა
🇦🇿 prelüd
- giriş
- ön söz
🇲🇽 preludio
- introducción
- prefacio
Word origin
The word 'prelude' originated from the Latin word 'praeludium', which means a prelude or introduction. The term has been used in music since the 16th century to refer to an introductory piece. In literature, 'prelude' has been used to describe an introductory section of a work since the 17th century. Over time, the word has come to symbolize something that precedes or serves as an introduction to a main event or action.