An introductory speech, a preface.

The preface or introduction to a text; esp. a speech (usually in verse) forming the introduction to a play; a preamble, a preliminary discourse…

A preliminary or preparatory statement in speech or writing; an introductory paragraph, section, or clause; a preface, a prologue, an introduction.

The making of a preamble; a preamble, a preface.

= proem, n.

A preliminary or introductory speech or remark. Obsolete. rare.

That which leads to the knowledge or understanding of something. A preliminary explanation prefixed to or included in a book or other writing; the…

Rhetoric. A kind of exordium to a speech designed artfully to win over the hearers. Obsolete.

The introductory part of a speech; a prologue; an introduction or preliminary explanation.

A prefatory part of a speech; preliminary remarks; an exordium. Now rare.

A preliminary talk or speech, introduction, preface.

an initial spoken statement made by each side in a trial, summarizing the main points of the case they will present to the jury.

= insinuation, n.