prōˈlüzhən also prōlˈyü- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin prolusion-, prolusio prelude, preliminary exercise, from prolusus (past participle of proludere to play or practice beforehand, from pro- before + ludere to play) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at ludicrous
1. : an exercise or trial preliminary to a contest or performance : prelude , warm-up
useth … no prolusion after the manner of fencers — Daniel Featley
2. : an introductory and often tentative discourse : preface , prologue
prolusions on the Pentateuch — J.R.Lowell
all this … prolusion is only to enable you to understand — W.H.Hudson †1922
his prolusion on the style of the most famous among the ancient Latin poets — Joseph Addison