prolegomenon
- noun
- /ˌproʊlɪˈɡɑːmənən/
- Literature
- The preceding outline of the structure of De Trinitate, schematic as it is, provides the skeleton for a reading of De Trinitate on its own terms, as found in the methodological prolegomenon of Book 1.
This book, the Prolegomena can help out with that.
- This book, the Prolegomena can help out with that.
- And Kant actually wrote the first Critique and then wrote the Prolegomena after that.
- So that tells us what we're we're up to in the critique and here in the Prolegomena, right.
Examples
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At the same time, what I have offered is a prolegomenon to America's first overseas missionary enterprise.
Academic text (2003) -
This book, the Prolegomena can help out with that.
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"The American Scholar" Prolegomenon
Academic text (2007) -
Prolegomenon on Neighborhood Life
Academic text (2017) -
And Kant actually wrote the first Critique and then wrote the Prolegomena after that.
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In his Prolegomenon to Punishment, H.L.A. Hart suggested that society may impose punishment on an offender only where society has been harmed.
Academic text (2003) -
The author includes a prolegomenon in the book to outline its main themes and objectives.
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In his prolegomenon, the philosopher lays the groundwork for understanding his complex theories.
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Before diving into the main chapters, the textbook provides a prolegomenon to orient the reader.
Synonyms
The first part of a book, speech, or essay that explains the topic
An opening part of a play that explains the story or background
A short piece at the start of a book that explains why the author wrote it
A short introduction at the start of a book that explains what it is about, written by someone else
A short introduction at the start of a book, poem, or speech
A short introduction before the main part of a book
An introduction before a book or play that gives background
A short introduction before a story that gives the main lesson
How Detailed
Surface Forms
Etymology
Prolegomenon comes from Greek parts pro- 'before' and log- 'word' or 'speech', and you can see the same idea in the simpler word prologue. So a prolegomenon is an introduction that comes before the main text and explains the book's purpose.