prologue

Meanings

1. A speech or section used as an introduction, especially to a play or novel.
2. One who delivers a prologue.
3. A component of a computer program that prepares the computer to execute a routine.
4. An individual time trial before a stage race, used to determine which rider wears the leader's jersey on the first stage.
5. A liturgical book containing daily readings, including hagiography.

1. To introduce with a formal preface, or prologue.

Etymology

From Middle English prologue, prologe, from Old French prologue, from Latin prologus, from Ancient Greek πρόλογος (prólogos). Equivalent to pro- + -logue.