First Known Use: 1561
Dictionary
1prelude
noun pre·lude \ˈprel-ˌyüd, ˈprāl-; ˈpre-ˌlüd, ˈprā-; sense 1 also ˈprē-ˌlüd\
: something that comes before and leads to something else
: a short piece of music that introduces a longer piece
Full Definition of PRELUDE
1
: an introductory performance, action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter
2
a : a musical section or movement introducing the theme or chief subject (as of a fugue or suite) or serving as an introduction to an opera or oratorio b : an opening voluntary c : a separate concert piece usually for piano or orchestra and based entirely on a short motif
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Origin of PRELUDE
Middle French, from Medieval Latin praeludium, from Latin praeludere to play beforehand, from prae- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous
Related to PRELUDE
- Synonyms
- curtain-raiser, overture, preamble, preliminary, prologue (also prolog), warm-up
Other Music Terms
2prelude
verb
pre·lud·edpre·lud·ing
Definition of PRELUDE
transitive verb
1
: to serve as a prelude to
2
: to play as a prelude
intransitive verb
: to give or serve as a prelude; especially : to play a musical introduction
— pre·lud·er noun
First Known Use of PRELUDE
1655
PRELUDE Defined for Kids
prelude
noun pre·lude \ˈprel-ˌyüd, ˈprā-ˌlüd\
Definition of PRELUDE for Kids
1
: something that comes before and prepares for the main or more important parts
2
: a short piece of music played at the beginning of something (as an opera or church service)
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