prolusion
noun
pro·lu·sion prō-ˈlü-zhən 
1
: a preliminary trial or exercise : prelude
2
: an introductory and often tentative discourse
prolusory
prō-ˈlü-sə-rē
adjective -zə-;
-ˈlüz-rē
-ˈlüz-
Synonyms
- exordium
- foreword
- intro
- introduction
- preamble
- preface
- prelude
- proem
- prologue
- prolog
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
in her prolusion she sketches the religious, cultural and political milieu in which gnosticism developed
Recent Examples on the Web This poem seems positioned as a prolusion — his word — or prelude to set a mood of contemplation, to encourage a softness or stillness, a long view, for entering what follows. 
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022 Word History
Etymology
Latin prolusion-, prolusio, from proludere to play beforehand, from pro- before + ludere to play — more at ludicrous
First Known Use
1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1
prolusion
noun
as in introduction
a short section (as of a book) that leads to or explains the main part in her prolusion she sketches the religious, cultural and political milieu in which gnosticism developed Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- introduction
- preface
- intro
- foreword
- prologue
- beginning
- prelude
- preamble
- proem
- exordium
- prolog
- start
- initiation
- commencement
- opening
- origin
- outset
- origination
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- aftermath
- epilogue
- postscript
- conclusion
- end
- finish
- envoy
- termination
- closing
- close
- epilog
- cessation
- stop
- finale
- envoi