prelude
US /ˈprel.juːd/
UK /ˈprel.juːd/
1.
an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important.
:
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The small skirmish was a prelude to the full-scale war.
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His early works were a prelude to his later masterpieces.
2.
a piece of music, typically an introductory one.
:
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Chopin's Prelude in E minor is a well-known classical piece.
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The concert began with a short orchestral prelude.
1.
to serve as a prelude or introduction to.
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The quiet evening preluded a stormy night.
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His speech preluded the main event of the conference.