pre lude, prelude

(Fr., from Low Latin prætudium, preludium =a prelude. from Lat. præ ludo to play beforehand: præ =before, and ludo to play; Sp. & Ital. preludio.] 1. Ord. Lang.: Something introductory or preparatory to that which follows; an introductory or preparatory performance; an introduction. "The murmuring prelude of the ruder gale." Byron: Corsair, i. 14. 2. Music : A movement played before, or an introduction to a musical work or performance; a short introductory strain preceding the principal movement, performed on the same key as, and intended to prepare the ear for, the piece that is to follow. "Then prelude light, of livelier tone, Expre ed their merry marching on." Scott. Lady of the Lake, ii. 17. prě-lūde', prěl-üde, v. v. t. & 1. [Fr. préluder.] [PRELUDE, 8. A. Transitive : 1. To play or perform a prelude to; to introduce with a prelude; to serve as a prelude to. "We may be surprised to find it preluding the Deluge." -London Daily Telegraph. 2. To serve as an introduction to; to introduce; to lead up to; to preface; to be preparatory to. "Preluding some great tragedy." Long fellow: Occultation of Orion. *B. In trans.: To serve as a prelude or introduc. tion; to act in such a manner as to prepare for that which is to follow; to play or give a prelude. "Henceforth in him be blest, And prelude to the realm's perpetual rest." Dryden: Britannia Rediviva, 187. chin, bench; go, gem; thin, this; IMG:content-1474.png:[blocks in formation] B. As subst. ( pl.): [INTERMAXILLE.] premaxillary-angle, s. Anat .: The angle between the anterior extremity of the basicranial axis and the front of the incisor ridge of the upperjaw. It varies in different skulls from 83° to 110°, and affords a means of safely estimating the degree of facial projection. When above 95° it indicates prognathism; when below it, orthognathism. ( Huxley.) premaxillary-bone, s. [PREMAXILLARY, B.] *pre me, a [BREME, a.] Fierce, strong. "The tray tour was so pre me." -MS. Cantab., Ff. II. 38, fo. 89. *pre-me-di-āte, v . t . [Pref. pre- , and English mediate (q. v.).] To advocate one's cause.