PROLOGUE DEFINITIONS - 11 definitions found
prologue n 1: an introduction to a play Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition (2003) prologue also prolog noun Etymology: Middle English prolog, from Anglo-French prologue, from Latin prologus preface to a play, from Greek prologos part of a Greek play preceding the entry of the chorus, from pro- before + legein to speak — more at pro-, legend Date: 14th century 1. the preface or introduction to a literary work 2. a. a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by an actor at the beginning of a play b. the actor speaking such a prologue 3. an introductory or preceding event or development Oxford English Reference Dictionary
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner\'s English Dictionary prologue (prologues) 1. A prologue is a speech or section of text that introduces a play or book. The prologue to the novel is written in the form of a newspaper account. N-COUNT 2. If one event is a prologue to another event, it leads to it. (FORMAL) This was a prologue to today's bloodless revolution. N-COUNT: usu N to n English Explanatory Dictionary prologue ˈprəulɔɡ n. & v. --n. 1 a a preliminary speech, poem, etc., esp. introducing a play (cf. EPILOGUE). b the actor speaking the prologue. 2 (usu. foll. by to) any act or event serving as an introduction. --v.tr. (prologues, prologued, prologuing) introduce with or provide with a prologue. [ME prolog f. OF prologue f. L prologus f. Gk prologos (as PRO-(2), logos speech)] Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) Prologue \Pro"logue\, n. [F., fr. L. prologus, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to say beforehand; ? before + ? to say. See Logic.] 1. The preface or introduction to a discourse, poem, or performance; as, the prologue of Chaucer's ``Canterbury Tales;'' esp., a discourse or poem spoken before a dramatic performance 2. One who delivers a prologue. [R.] --Shak. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) Prologue \Pro"logue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prologued; p. pr. & vb. n. Prologuing.] To introduce with a formal preface, or prologue. [R.] --Shak. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PROLOGUE pro'-log, prol'-og (prologos, "foreword," "preface," "introduction"): The word occurs in the preface to Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), and is commonly applied to Joh 1:1-18. See ECCLESIASTICUS; JOHN, GOSPEL OF. Soule\'s Dictionary of English Synonyms prologue n. Introduction (to a play), preface. Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 54 Moby Thesaurus words for "prologue": act, afterpiece, avant-propos, bit, breakthrough, chaser, curtain, curtain call, curtain raiser, divertimento, divertissement, epilogue, exode, exodus, exordium, expository scene, finale, foreword, front matter, frontispiece, hoke act, innovation, interlude, intermezzo, intermission, introduction, leap, number, overture, postulate, preamble, preface, prefix, prefixture, preliminary, prelude, premise, presupposition, proem, prolegomena, prolegomenon, prolepsis, protasis, routine, scene, shtick, sketch, skit, song and dance, stand-up comedy act, striptease, turn, verse, voluntary |
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