What does Prelude mean?
Definitions for Prelude
ˈprɛl yud, ˈpreɪl-, ˈpreɪ lud, ˈpri-pre·lude
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Prelude.
Princeton's WordNet
preliminary, overture, preludenoun
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
"training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
preludeverb
music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera
preludeverb
serve as a prelude or opening to
preludeverb
play as a prelude
Wiktionary
preludenoun
An introductory or preliminary performance or event; a preface.
preludenoun
A short piece of music that acts as an introduction to a longer piece.
preludeverb
To introduce something, as a prelude.
Etymology: From prelude, from preludium, from earlier praeludere.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
PRELUDEnoun
Etymology: prelude, Fr. præludium, Lat.
To his infant arms oppose
His father’s rebels and his brother’s foes;
Those were the preludes of his fate,
That form’d his manhood, to subdue
The hydra of the many-headed hissing crew. Dryden.The last Georgick was a good prelude to the Æneis, and very well shewed what the poet could do in the description of what was really great. Addison.
One concession to a man is but a prelude to another. Clarissa.
To Preludeverb
To serve as an introduction; to be previous to.
Etymology: preluder, Fr. præludo, Lat.
Either songster holding out their throats,
And folding up their wings, renew’d their notes,
As if all day, preluding to the fight,
They only had rehears’d, to sing by night. Dryden.
ChatGPT
prelude
A prelude is an introductory part of a piece of music, event, performance, or action. It serves as a preliminary or preparatory introduction that leads to the main part of something. It could also refer to a separate piece of music intended to introduce larger work, such as a classical music composition or an opera.
Webster Dictionary
Preludeverb
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
Preludeverb
to play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude
Preludeverb
to introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air
Preludeverb
to serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory
Etymology: [L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before + ludere to play: cf. F. prluder. See Ludicrous.]
Wikidata
Prelude
A prelude is a short piece of music, the form of which may vary from piece to piece. The prelude can be thought of as a preface. It may stand on its own or introduce another work. While, during the Baroque era, for example, it may have served as an introduction to succeeding movements of a work that were usually longer and more complex, it may also have been a stand alone piece of work during the Romantic era. It generally features a small number of rhythmic and melodic motifs that recur through the piece. Stylistically, the prelude is improvisatory in nature. The prelude can also refer to an overture, particularly to those seen in an opera or an oratorio.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Prelude
prē-lūd′, or prel′ūd, n. the introductory movement of a musical work: a prefatory piece to an oratorio, &c.: an organ voluntary before a church service: a preface: a forerunner.—v.t. Prelude′, to play before: to preface, as an introduction.—v.i. to perform a prelude: to serve as a prelude.—adjs. Prelū′dial and Prelū′dious (rare); Prelū′sive, of the nature of a prelude: introductory.—advs. Prelū′sively; Prelū′sorily.—adj. Prelū′sory, introductory. [Fr.,—Late L. præludium—L. præ, before, ludĕre, to play.]
Suggested Resources
prelude
Song lyrics by prelude -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by prelude on the Lyrics.com website.
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of Prelude in Chaldean Numerology is: 6
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of Prelude in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9
Examples of Prelude in a Sentence
The prelude to Tristan and Isolde sounded as if a bomb had fallen into a large music factory and had thrown all the notes into confusion.
Every indication suggests these actions will almost certainly be used as a prelude to even further aggression and an even larger invasion. If that occurs, many Ukrainians could die, the humanitarian consequences could be catastrophic. And the threat will not stop with Ukraine. All the free nations of the world will be affected if Putin’s aggression is allowed to stand unchallenged.
The pain of leaving those you've grown to love is only the prelude to an understanding of yourself and others.
What's been happening the past few days, these statements by Miller and Putin, is all just a prelude for talks between Russia and Ukraine over a summer deal.
Holding yourself responsible often is a prelude to resignation. Not always, but … that's really the ultimate sanction. So, it is hard to take them seriously.
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References
Translations for Prelude
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
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"Prelude." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Prelude>.
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