Dictionary

prolegomenon

noun pro·le·gom·e·non \ˌprō-li-ˈgä-mə-ˌnän, -nən\
plural pro·le·gom·e·na\-nə\

Definition of PROLEGOMENON

:  prefatory remarks; specifically :  a formal essay or critical discussion serving to introduce and interpret an extended work
pro·le·gom·e·nous \-nəs\ adjective
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Origin of PROLEGOMENON

Greek, neuter present passive participle of prolegein to say beforehand, from pro- before + legein to say — more at legend
First Known Use: circa 1652

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

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