Definitions for preludeˈprɛl yud, ˈpreɪl-, ˈpreɪ lud, ˈpri-
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
prel•udeˈprɛl yud, ˈpreɪl-, ˈpreɪ lud, ˈpri-(n.; v.)-ud•ed, -ud•ing.
(n.)a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance.
any action, event, comment, etc., that precedes something else.
Music. a relatively short, independent instrumental composition, free in form and resembling an improvisation. a piece that is introductory to another piece, as a fugue. the overture to an opera. music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.
Category: Music and Dance
(v.t.)to serve as a prelude or introduction to.
to introduce by a prelude.
to play as a prelude.
(v.i.)to serve as a prelude.
to give a prelude.
to play a prelude.
Origin of prelude:
1555–65; < ML praelūdium= L praelūd(ere) to compose a prelude (prae-pre - +lūdere to write for amusement, play) + -ium -ium1
Princeton's WordNet
preliminary, overture, prelude(noun)
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
"training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
prelude(verb)
music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera
prelude(verb)
serve as a prelude or opening to
prelude(verb)
play as a prelude
Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary
prelude(noun)ˈprɛl yud, ˈpreɪl-, ˈpreɪ lud, ˈpri-
sth that leads to or introduces a more important thing
The border fighting was a prelude to the war.
Wiktionary
prelude(Noun)
An introductory or preliminary performance or event; a preface.
prelude(Noun)
A short piece of music that acts as an introduction to a longer piece.
prelude(Verb)
To introduce something, as a prelude.
Origin: From prelude, from preludium, from earlier praeludere.
Webster Dictionary
Prelude(verb)
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
Prelude(verb)
to play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude
Prelude(verb)
to introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air
Prelude(verb)
to serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory
Translations for prelude
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary
prelude(noun)
an event etc that goes before, and acts as an introduction to, something.
- inleidingAfrikaans
- تَمْهيد، مُقَدِّمَهArabic
- встъплениеBulgarian
- prelúdioPortuguese (BR)
- úvodCzech
- das VorspielGerman
- indledningDanish
- προοίμιοGreek
- preludioSpanish
- sissejuhatusEstonian
- مقدمهFarsi
- johdantoFinnish
- préludeFrench
- הַקדָמָהHebrew
- पूर्वरंगHindi
- uvod, nagovještajCroatian
- előzményHungarian
- awalIndonesian
- undanfariIcelandic
- preludioItalian
- 前触れJapanese
- 전조Korean
- įžangaLithuanian
- ievads; iesākumsLatvian
- permulaanMalay
- voorspelDutch
- innledning, opptaktNorwegian
- wstępPolish
- مقدمهPersian
- سريځهPashto
- prelúdioPortuguese
- introducereRomanian
- вступление, началоRussian
- úvodSlovak
- predigraSlovenian
- uvodSerbian
- förspel, upptakt, inledningSwedish
- การแสดงเบิกโรงThai
- girişTurkish
- 序言，序幕Chinese (Trad.)
- вступUkrainian
- پيش خيمہUrdu
- việc mở đầuVietnamese
- 序言，序幕Chinese (Simp.)
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