prelude
noun
[ ˈprɛljuːd ]
• an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important.
• "a ceasefire had been agreed as a prelude to full peace negotiations"
Similar:
preliminary,
overture,
opening,
preparation,
introduction,
start,
beginning,
curtain-raiser,
lead-in,
precursor,
forerunner,
harbinger,
herald,
opener,
commencement,
prolusion,
• an introductory piece of music, most commonly an orchestral opening to an act of an opera, the first movement of a suite, or a piece preceding a fugue.
prelude
verb
• serve as a prelude or introduction to.
• "the bombardment preluded an all-out final attack"
Origin:
mid 16th century: from French prélude, from medieval Latin praeludium, from Latin praeludere ‘play beforehand’, from prae ‘before’ + ludere ‘to play’.
