Prelude

prē-lūd′, or prel′ūd, n. the introductory movement of a musical work: a prefatory piece to an oratorio, .: an organ voluntary before a church service: a preface: a forerunner.— v.t. Prelude′ , to play before: to preface, as an introduction.— v.i. to perform a prelude: to serve as a prelude.— adjs. Prelū′dial and Prelū′dious ( rare ); Prelū′sive , of the nature of a prelude: introductory.— advs. Prelū′sively ; Prelū′sorily .— adj. Prelū′sory , introductory. [Fr.,—Late L. præludium —L. præ , before, ludĕre , to play.]