Library / English Dictionary

PRELUDE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("prelude" is a kind of...):

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prelude"):

chorale prelude (a composition for organ using a chorale as a basis for variations)

Derivation:

prelude (play as a prelude)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows

Example:

drinks were the overture to dinner

Synonyms:

overture; preliminary; prelude

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("prelude" is a kind of...):

inception; origin; origination (an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events)

Derivation:

prelude (serve as a prelude or opening to)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Play as a prelude

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "prelude" is one way to...):

play; spiel (replay (as a melody))

Domain category:

music (musical activity (singing or whistling etc.))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They will prelude the duet

Derivation:

prelude (music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Serve as a prelude or opening to

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "prelude" is one way to...):

function; serve (serve a purpose, role, or function)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

prelude (something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Scraps of popular songs were chorused with an enthusiasm which was a strange prelude to a scientific lecture, and there was already a tendency to personal chaff which promised a jovial evening to others, however embarrassing it might be to the recipients of these dubious honors.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)