n. 25B6; noun
a ceasefire was a prelude to peace negotiations : PRELIMINARY, overture, opening, preparation, introduction, start, commencement, beginning, lead-in, precursor.
an orchestral prelude : OVERTURE, introductory movement, introduction, opening.
the passage forms a prelude to Part III : INTRODUCTION, preface, prologue, foreword, preamble; informal intro; formal exordium, proem, prolegomenon.