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to prelude

to prelude

1 6.0
To come before and introduce something larger
  • verb
  • /ˈprɛljuːd/
translation icon : servir de preludio a
  • The rationale for preluding the discussion about the subject of US foreign policy with Afrocentric theoretical perspectives is to acknowledge previous concerted efforts by scholar-activists to shift the geography of reason in relation to how we can rethink the strategic questions facing Africa, especially its relations with Western powers.

Examples

  • "Grim faces would prelude their predictions—" loss of speech, loss of movement, paralysis. "Another chart notation, another beep of a strange machine, and they'd leave, never knowing I heard every word.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The speaker's introduction will prelude the main event of the evening.

  • I do hope this doesn't prelude a meeting in private.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "Prelude Number 15."

  • Prelude to a Kiss

    Academic text (2011)
  • Prelude to the crisis.

    Academic text (1991)
  • As it has in the past, conducting such an experiment preludes an overall orientation change in the government's policy concerning the form of public ownership.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The warm-up exercises prelude the intense workout that follows.

  • This short chapter preludes the key themes explored in the novel.

Synonyms

to introduce
vsto prelude
178 2.1

To begin a talk, book, or event with a short opening

can also mean simply to come before something without actively opening
to precede
vsto prelude
107 4.1

Happen before something else in time or order

often also implies beginning or introduction rather than only being earlier
to come before
vsto prelude
98 3.6

To happen earlier than another thing in time or position

stresses introducing or marking the beginning rather than mere earlier position
to lead up to
vsto prelude
92 3.8

Slowly move toward an event or result

is more about appearing first than slowly preparing or building towards it
to preface
vsto prelude
21 4.9

To begin a speech or piece of writing with a short statement

is more general and can simply mean to come before and mark a beginning
to preamble
vsto prelude
  • Formal
8.0

To give a short introduction before a speech or document

is used more generally beyond formal documents to indicate a beginning
to prologise
vsto prelude
  • Literature
9.9

To give a short introduction before a play, book, or speech

is broader and applies to many beginnings not only literary openings
to prologize
vsto prelude
  • Literature
9.9

To give a short introduction before a book or show

is broader and applies to many beginnings not only literary openings
to forerun
vsto prelude
6.7

To come before and show what will happen next

focuses more on marking the start or immediate beginning than mere precedence
to antecede
vsto prelude
  • Formal
8.7

To happen before something else in time

is used less for active starting and more for simple temporal order

Antonyms

1.0

To come after something in time or order

Compounds

16 4.4

An event that comes before something more important

chorale prelude
  • Specialized
9.9

A short organ piece that uses a hymn tune and often introduces singing

How Introductory

to usher in
35 4.6
to herald
37 5.5
to prelude
1 6.0
to foreshadow
16 6.2
to precede
107 4.1
hint
229 1.5

Surface Forms

prelude infinitive
preluded past
preluded past participle
preluding present participle
preludes third person singular

Etymology

Prelude comes from the Latin parts pre- 'before' and ludere 'to play'. So to prelude something is to come before or to introduce it, like a short act that starts the main show.