noun / verb
prologue
PROH-lawg/ˈprəʊlɔːɡ/
An introductory section before a main work or event.
The narrator delivers a prologue before the main action begins.
Etymology
Literally a speech beforehand, a prologue could be spoken before a play. The same introductory role connects it to a section placed before the main narrative or discourse.
In context
the prologue walks before the play and some plays are going to be like honest women and others are going to be like this other type of queen
More examples
- She reads the prologue before beginning chapter one.
- A short speech prologues the evening's performance.
- The early dispute serves as a prologue to the larger conflict.
Forms
prologue · prologues · prologued · prologuing
Similar words
- introduction
- The broader opening of a work or presentation.
- preface
- A preface introduces a book from outside its narrative; a prologue can be part of the story or drama.