n. & v.
--n. (often foll. by to)
1. an action, event, or situation serving as an introduction.
2 the introductory part of a poem etc.
3 a an introductory piece of music, often preceding a fugue or forming the first piece of a suite or beginning an act of an opera. b a short piece of music of a similar type, esp. for the piano.
--v.tr.
1. serve as a prelude to.
2 introduce with a prelude.
Derivatives:
preludial adj.
Etymology: F pr{eacute}lude or med.L praeludium f. L praeludere praelus- (as PRAE-, ludere play)