— exordial , adj.
/ig zawr"dee euhm, ik sawr"-/ , n. , pl. exordiums, exordia /-dee euh/ .
1. the beginning of anything.
2. the introductory part of an oration, treatise, etc.
[ 1525-35; exordium, equiv. to ex- EX- 1 + ord ( iri ) to begin + -ium -IUM ]