prelude

Definition

An introductory or preliminary performance or event.

Etymology

From Middle French prélude (“singing to test a musical instrument”), from Medieval Latin preludium, from Latin praelūdere.

Example Sentences

• "Adam Schiff, a Democratic senator from California, called it a “very dangerous escalation and a prelude to potential conflict”."
• "In the same way that Rust has a general prelude that brings certain types and functions into scope automatically, the std::io module has its own prelude of common types and functions you'll need when working with I/O."
• "Swimmings of the head and intestinal pains seemed the prelude of dissolution."