prologue

noun

pro·logue ˈprō-ˌlȯg How to pronounce prologue (audio)

-ˌläg

variants or less commonly prolog

: the preface or introduction to a literary work

: a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by an actor at the beginning of a play

: the actor speaking such a prologue

: an introductory or preceding event or development

Did you know?

In ancient Greek drama, the prologos (a word that means basically "speaking before") was the opening portion of the play, before the entry of the all-important chorus. It might be spoken by a single actor, maybe playing a god, who would "set the scene" for the audience. Playwrights today instead often provide the same kind of "scene-setting" information through dialogue near the play's beginning; in movies, it may appear (as in the "Star Wars" series) in the form of actual written text. In a nonfiction book, the lead-in is now usually called a preface or introduction; novels rarely provide any introduction at all. Still, prologue remains a useful word for nonliterary purposes. The saying "The past is prologue" tells us that, in real life, almost everything can be a prologue to what follows it.

Example Sentences

the prologue to his autobiography unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime

Recent Examples on the Web In an opening-credits prologue that’s very…molten, a boy narrator explains to us that years ago a battle was waged between Samaritan and Nemesis, twin brothers who were sworn enemies.

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2022 In the novel’s prologue, Andrew attends a lacrosse reception at the Thatch home and discovers a disturbing collection of crime scene photos in a manila folder.

New York Times, 4 June 2022 Past is prologue, something a savvy veteran like McConnell knows well.

Geoff Duncan, CNN, 1 Sep. 2022 After the prologue, one titular beast flies skyward above King's Landing.

Darren Franich, EW.com, 19 Aug. 2022 The race to the midterm elections will accelerate after Labor Day—and if past is prologue, Democrats are likely to lose control of at least one legislative chamber.

William A. Galston, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022 The three-track prologue soundtrack features Nigerian artist Tems.

Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 July 2022 But if what’s past is prologue, Mr. Son’s aggressive investment style will return soon after the current storm settles.

Jacky Wong, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2022 When the Gene prologue from Season Four introduced Jeff, did anyone have any idea where that might be going?

Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2022 See More

单词	prologues
释义	prologue noun pro·logue ˈprō-ˌlȯg -ˌläg variants or less commonly prolog 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 Did you know? In ancient Greek drama, the prologos (a word that means basically "speaking before") was the opening portion of the play, before the entry of the all-important chorus. It might be spoken by a single actor, maybe playing a god, who would "set the scene" for the audience. Playwrights today instead often provide the same kind of "scene-setting" information through dialogue near the play's beginning; in movies, it may appear (as in the "Star Wars" series) in the form of actual written text. In a nonfiction book, the lead-in is now usually called a preface or introduction; novels rarely provide any introduction at all. Still, prologue remains a useful word for nonliterary purposes. The saying "The past is prologue" tells us that, in real life, almost everything can be a prologue to what follows it. Synonyms curtain-raiser overture preamble preliminary prelude warm-up See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences the prologue to his autobiography unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime Recent Examples on the Web In an opening-credits prologue that’s very…molten, a boy narrator explains to us that years ago a battle was waged between Samaritan and Nemesis, twin brothers who were sworn enemies. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2022 In the novel’s prologue, Andrew attends a lacrosse reception at the Thatch home and discovers a disturbing collection of crime scene photos in a manila folder. New York Times, 4 June 2022 Past is prologue, something a savvy veteran like McConnell knows well. Geoff Duncan, CNN, 1 Sep. 2022 After the prologue, one titular beast flies skyward above King's Landing. Darren Franich, EW.com, 19 Aug. 2022 The race to the midterm elections will accelerate after Labor Day—and if past is prologue, Democrats are likely to lose control of at least one legislative chamber. William A. Galston, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022 The three-track prologue soundtrack features Nigerian artist Tems. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 July 2022 But if what’s past is prologue, Mr. Son’s aggressive investment style will return soon after the current storm settles. Jacky Wong, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2022 When the Gene prologue from Season Four introduced Jeff, did anyone have any idea where that might be going? Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2022 See More Word History 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 First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 prologues noun variants also prologs plural of prologue 1 as in preludes a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance preludes preliminaries overtures preambles warm-ups countdowns curtain-raisers lead-ins kickoffs starts run-ups 2 as in introductions a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part a brief prologue sets the scene for the story that follows Synonyms & Similar Words introductions intros prefaces forewords preludes preambles proems exordia beginnings prolusions exordiums initiations starts openings commencements originations origins outsets Antonyms & Near Antonyms epilogues postscripts envoys conclusions epilogs aftermaths finales stops closings ends terminations finishes envois cessations closes See More
随便看	thimblerigging thimblerigs thimbles thimbleweed thimbleweeds thimbling thimerosal thimerosals Thimphu thin thin film thin lead thin on the ground thin register Thin Rind thin section thin skin thin smile thin space thin stroke thin-boiling starch thin-layer chromatography thin-shell concrete thin-skinned thin-skinnedness

prologue

noun

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Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun