Adjacent Words

Prologue definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PROLOGUE, n. pro'log. [L. prologue; Gr. discourse.]
The preface or introduction to a discourse, or performance, chiefly the discourse or poem spoken before a dramatic performance or play begins.
PROLOGUE, v.t. pro'log. To introduce with a formal preface.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an introduction to a play

Merriam Webster's

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 Reference Dictionary

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. Etymology: ME prolog f. OF prologue f. L prologus f. Gk prologos (as PRO-(2), logos speech)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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 1913 Dictionary

Prologue Pro"logue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prologued; p. pr. & vb. n. Prologuing.] To introduce with a formal preface, or prologue. [R.] --Shak.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(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

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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

n. Introduction (to a play), preface.

Moby Thesaurus

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