exordium

noun ex·or·di·um \eg-ˈzȯr-dē-əm\

plural ex·or·diums or -dia \-dē-ə\

Definition of EXORDIUM

: a beginning or introduction especially to a discourse or composition

— ex·or·di·al \-dē-əl\ adjective

Latin, from exordiri to begin, from ex- + ordiri to begin — more at order

First Known Use: 1577

Synonyms: introduction, foreword, intro, preamble, preface, prelude, proem, prologue (also prolog), prolusion

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