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prelude |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prelude \Pre*lude"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Preluded}; p. pr & vb n. {Preluding}.] [L. praeludere praelusum prae before + ludere to play: cf F. pr['e]luder. See {Ludicrous}.] To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude. The musicians preluded on their instruments. --Sir. W. Scott. We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point. --Jeffrey. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prelude \Pre*lude"\, 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 From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prelude \Pre"lude\, n. [F. pr['e]lude (cf. It preludio LL praeludium), fr L. prae before + ludus play. See {Prelude}, v. t.] 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 [AE]nis --Addison. The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact --Whewell. Syn: Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble; forerunner; harbinger; precursor. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: prelude n 1: something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner" [syn: {preliminary}, {overture}] 2: music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera v 1: serve as a prelude to 2: play as a prelude, of musical pieces
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