prologue

Meanings

Noun

• A speech or section used as an introduction, especially to a play or novel.
• One who delivers a prologue.
• A component of a computer program that prepares the computer to execute a routine.
• An individual time trial before a stage race, used to determine which rider wears the leader's jersey on the first stage.

Verb

• To introduce with a formal preface, or prologue.

Origin

• From Middle English prologue, prologe, from Old French prologue, from Latin prologus, from Ancient Greek πρόλογος.