Definition of Prelude

Pre`lude´
n.1.(Mus.) 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.
v. i.1.To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude.
[imp. & p. p. Preluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Preluding.]
The musicians preluded on their instruments.
- Sir. W. Scott.
We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point.
- Jeffrey.
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


Related Words

Vorspiel, antecedence, antecedency, anteposition, anteriority, avant-propos, breakthrough, concert overture, curtain raiser, descant, dominion, dramatic overture, exordium, foreword, front matter, front position, frontispiece, innovation, introduce, introduction, leap, operatic overture, overture, postulate, preamble, precedence, precedency, preceding, precession, precursor, preface, preference, prefix, prefixation, prefixture, preliminary, premise, presupposition, priority, proem, prolegomena, prolegomenon, prolepsis, prologize, prologue, protasis, prothesis, superiority, the lead, top priority, urgency, vamp, verse, voluntary

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