Prelude | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Prē'lūde or Prĕl'ūde, n.

noun

n. [Fr. prélude, It. & Sp. preludio, L. Lat. præludium, from Lat. præ, before, and ludus, play. See infra and PRELUDIUM.] 1. An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary movement, play, strain, or the like; especially, a musical strain, introducing the theme or chief subject. The last Georgic was a good prelude to the Æneis. Addison. 2. Something which indicates a future event; a preface; a preliminary. The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more than the sequel, of the fact. Whewell. Syn. — Preface; introduction; preliminary; forerunner; harbinger.

Pre-lūdé, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PRELUDED; p. pr. & vb. n. PRELUDING.]

To introduce with a previous performance; to play before; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air.
To precede, as introductory; as, a lively air preludes the concert.

Pre-lūde', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [Lat. præludere, prælusum, from præ, before, and ludere, to play; Fr. préluder.] To serve as an introduction; to play an introduction; to give a prefatory or introductory performance.

The musicians preluded on their instruments. W. Scott.

We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to the point. Jeffery.