— preambled , adj.
/pree"am'beuhl, pree am"-/ , n.
1. an introductory statement; preface; introduction.
2. the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows.
3. a preliminary or introductory fact or circumstance: His childhood in the slums was a preamble to a life of crime.
4. ( cap. ) the introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution, setting forth the general principles of American government and beginning with the words, "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union . ..."
[ 1350-1400; ME praeambulum, n. use of neut. of LL praeambulus walking before. See PRE-, AMBLE ]
Syn. 1. opening, beginning; foreword, prologue, prelude.